Quos Ego Neptune Stilling the Tempest 1717

Editor: This print, "Quos Ego Neptune Stilling the Tempest" by Bernard Picart, is quite dramatic. It feels very performative, almost staged. What's your take on its historical context? Curator: Absolutely. Consider how prints like this circulated widely, shaping public understanding of classical narratives. The theatrical composition reinforces the power of the ruling class, aligning them with the divine authority of Neptune. What does the inscription 'Quos Ego' suggest to you? Editor: It gives Neptune a voice, declaring his power. Does that reinforce his authority in a political sense? Curator: Precisely! This imagery was often commissioned by those in power to legitimize their rule through allegorical associations with mythological figures. These images helped to position the ruling class as divinely ordained leaders. Editor: That’s fascinating. I didn't think about it in terms of political messaging. Curator: Examining the public role of art opens up so many avenues for understanding its purpose.