Marcus Aurelius sets out over a wharf with infantry and cavalry (CVIII); the Sarmatians are repulsed by advancing Romans (CIX) 1544 - 1618

Editor: This ink and pen drawing, created by Giovanni Guerra between 1544 and 1618, is called "Marcus Aurelius sets out over a wharf with infantry and cavalry; the Sarmatians are repulsed by advancing Romans." It depicts a chaotic battle scene. The craftsmanship is exquisite! What stands out to you? Curator: It’s intriguing to consider the labor embedded within this piece. Think of the procurement of materials – the ink, the pen, the paper itself. Each component a product of its own specific industry and labor force. What does the subject matter, these scenes of Roman military action, suggest about the artist's engagement with power? Editor: It feels almost like propaganda, glorifying warfare and Roman dominance. How would the original viewer see these historical figures? Curator: Precisely! Consider the social context in which this piece was created. Guerra wasn’t merely creating a drawing; he was participating in the construction of a specific historical narrative, a narrative deeply intertwined with power structures. How does the choice of medium - ink and pen - either reinforce or subvert that narrative? Editor: Because it's 'just' a drawing? Is it almost a practice sketch instead of a powerful final artwork? Curator: Perhaps. Pen and ink drawings at this time would have been considerably cheaper than oil paintings or sculptures. The materials reflect specific economies and demographics of viewership. Are these sketches part of a design for a larger artwork in a different medium? Editor: I see, the artwork’s value comes not only from the artist's skill but from all the production and material connections too. Thank you! Curator: Indeed. This detailed artwork lets us consider not only aesthetics, but also the materials that constitute its very being and how those materials tie the artwork to the broader socio-economic fabric of the Renaissance.