Book VI.27. Volscians surrender themselves prisoners {Primae Decadis Liber Septimus p. LXV verso} 1493

Curator: Looking at this anonymous woodcut titled "Book VI.27. Volscians surrender themselves prisoners" from the Harvard Art Museums, I'm struck by its directness. It feels almost like a stage play frozen in a single frame. Editor: It does, doesn't it? Stark and unadorned, yet somehow incredibly powerful. The composition, with its strong diagonals and contrasting textures, creates a feeling of unease, of forced submission. Curator: The artist is illustrating a specific historical moment, part of a narrative about Roman expansion and the subjugation of the Volscians. What interests me is how public perception of such events were shaped by these images. Editor: I find myself thinking about the people depicted, not just as figures in a historical drama but as individuals caught in a moment of defeat, stripped of their agency. The stark lines accentuate their vulnerability. Curator: These prints served as visual propaganda, reinforcing Roman power. But your reading also highlights the enduring human cost of conquest. Editor: Yes, and art, even in its most seemingly straightforward forms, can spark these crucial questions about power, representation, and ultimately, our shared humanity. Curator: Exactly, it's in the simplicity that we find a space for deeper reflection.