Veturia and Volumnia Entreating Coriolanus with Zodiac Border c. 1790

Curator: This intriguing medallion, rendered by Wedgwood, presents "Veturia and Volumnia Entreating Coriolanus" encircled by zodiac symbols. Editor: It strikes me as a deeply personal moment, frozen in miniature. The stark white figures against the darker ground evoke classical cameos, but with a celestial twist. Curator: Indeed. The scene depicts a pivotal moment from Roman history, where Coriolanus is persuaded by his mother and wife to spare Rome from his wrath. The Zodiac border adds another layer. Editor: What do you think it signifies? Perhaps the inescapable influence of fate on even the most powerful figures? Or, is it a symbol of order and predictability imposed on human drama? Curator: The zodiac could be interpreted as a way to ennoble the subjects, to elevate the scene beyond a historical event into something timeless and universal. Wedgwood, with his keen sense of the market, was certainly capitalizing on the Neoclassical tastes of the era, wasn't he? Editor: Absolutely. It shows how political imagery gains permanence through art objects and personal adornment. Food for thought, indeed.