Ein Wagen auf zwei Rädern, mit Venus, Delphinen und Tritonen 

Editor: Here we have Luigi Bernini’s "Ein Wagen auf zwei Rädern, mit Venus, Delphinen und Tritonen"—or, "A Cart on Two Wheels, with Venus, Dolphins, and Tritons"—an ink and paper drawing in the Städel Museum's collection. The sepia tones give it a dreamlike quality. What historical perspective can you offer on this baroque sketch? Curator: This drawing speaks volumes about the public role of art in Bernini’s time, especially within the context of Baroque Rome. Bernini, from an artistic family and under Papal patronage, navigated a complex socio-political world where art was frequently used to convey messages of power and reinforce religious ideals. Consider the imagery: Venus, dolphins, tritons... These classical references served to elevate the patron through association with the grandeur of antiquity. Given this was likely a design for a temporary festive structure, it tells us much about public spectacle and propaganda. Editor: So, this wasn’t meant to be a finished work, but a plan for something bigger? Like a parade float? Curator: Precisely! Drawings like this allowed for the circulation of ideas and enabled feedback from patrons. The 'cart' isn't merely decorative; its inclusion of Venus, a goddess often associated with love and beauty, was deeply embedded in the values of the patrons and the period. What sort of statement might a patron be attempting to convey through a float featuring Venus? Editor: Maybe about their appreciation for beauty and pleasure, their cultivated taste? Almost like saying, "we understand and appreciate the finer things"? Curator: Exactly. It emphasizes refinement but also subtly alludes to worldly power. Remember, public displays weren’t just celebrations. They reinforced hierarchies. Who got to commission, who got to participate, who got to simply observe...it was all carefully orchestrated. Editor: I never really thought about how drawings themselves could be tools of power. Curator: Indeed. This drawing encapsulates a lot about the interplay between art, power, and the politics of imagery. It gives an unusual view behind the scenes into festival productions! Editor: Thank you for your insights. It definitely changed my perspective on the role this art played in society back then.