Dialectic 16th-17th century

Editor: This is Johann Sadeler I's "Dialectic." There's no date listed, and it's an engraving. The figure seems to be an allegorical representation of dialectic. How do you interpret the imagery? Curator: I see a representation deeply embedded in the socio-political context of its time, reflecting the power dynamics inherent in knowledge production. The snake coiled around her arm, the bird atop her head—aren't these symbols of wisdom and insight, yet presented through a very specific, arguably patriarchal, lens? Editor: I never thought about it that way. So, it's not just about wisdom, but who gets to define it? Curator: Precisely. Who gets to define it, and whose voices are silenced in the process? Thinking about that helps us better understand how knowledge and power intertwine. Editor: That’s fascinating! I'll definitely look at art differently now.