Illustration for Canto V c. 16th century

Editor: This is Antonio Tempesta's "Illustration for Canto V," made sometime between 1555 and 1630. It's a detailed scene with horses and soldiers. It feels very theatrical. What story do you think it's trying to tell? Curator: It's interesting you say theatrical. Tempesta was working in a period where printmaking was increasingly tied to disseminating stories and ideologies. Consider the context of its creation. How might this image, as an illustration, be shaped by the politics of imagery and public consumption of narratives in its time? Editor: So, it's not just about the aesthetic, but about who's seeing it and what they're meant to take away? Curator: Precisely. The choice of subject matter, the composition – all serve a purpose within the larger cultural and political landscape. Considering the printing press, this work can be studied as a political artifact. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. It makes me look at the details differently now.