The leaders of two armies conversing, their respective troops and camps on either side; above, Minerva observes from her chariot; set design from 'Il Pomo D'Oro' 1668

Mathäus Küsel created this print, a set design from 'Il Pomo D'Oro', sometime in the 17th century. The composition is structured around a central clearing where two armies face off. Above, Minerva observes from her chariot, a divine presence overseeing human affairs. The visual field is dense, filled with rows of tents and soldiers meticulously rendered through fine lines. The print employs a hierarchical arrangement, typical of Baroque art, where the divine and noble figures are elevated above the common soldiery. This structure reinforces social and cosmic order. Küsel's use of perspective compresses the space, intensifying the feeling of massed forces arrayed against each other. The leaders in the center are framed by their respective troops, creating a sense of poised tension. Minerva’s presence suggests a commentary on the futility of conflict, or perhaps an endorsement of divinely sanctioned peace. The detailed rendering invites us to decode the cultural codes embedded in costume and setting. This artwork challenges fixed narratives of power and instead presents a layered discourse on authority and spectacle.