The Meeting with Sordello 1807

Editor: This is John Flaxman's "The Meeting with Sordello" from the Tate Collections. The figures are so stark and linear. It feels very neoclassical to me. How does the political climate of the time influence Flaxman's interpretation of Dante here? Curator: Flaxman, working during a period of revolution and social upheaval, reimagines Dante's encounter with Sordello as a symbol of reconciliation. Consider the radical shifts in power during the French Revolution and how artists sought to create imagery that offered a vision of unity. Does this embrace strike you as a political act, or merely personal? Editor: I see what you mean. It's not just a hug; it's about forging connections in a fractured world. Curator: Exactly. Flaxman uses a classical style to lend the scene an air of timelessness, suggesting that the need for understanding transcends any particular moment. It makes me consider the role of art in shaping social consciousness. Editor: This makes me think about how art can be a call for change. Thanks!