Joshua Mutilates his Enemies' Horses c. 16th century

Editor: This print, "Joshua Mutilates his Enemies' Horses" by Antonio Tempesta, is incredibly graphic. What strikes me is the dynamic chaos. What symbols are at play here that might deepen our understanding? Curator: Consider the horse itself. Throughout history, it’s embodied power, nobility, even divinity. To mutilate the horses, as Joshua does, is to symbolically cripple the enemy's strength and legitimacy. What does that tell us about the perceived justification of Joshua's actions? Editor: So it’s about more than just winning the battle, it’s about dismantling their entire identity. That's a powerful way to think about it. Curator: Precisely. We learn about the victors through the vanquished.