Faam 1516 - 1565

Editor: So, here we have "Faam," an engraving by Domenico del Barbiere from the mid-16th century. It’s quite striking – the figure with wings standing on a globe, enclosed in this elaborate circular frame... It feels very grand and symbolic. How do you interpret this work? Curator: This piece demands that we consider the power dynamics at play during the Renaissance. Notice how "Faam"—Fame—is presented as a winged figure, elevated above all else. What does it mean for this figure to be feminine, to be standing on a globe and holding banners declaring “Love”? Editor: It definitely suggests that love, or perhaps devotion, is essential to achieving fame. But what's the significance of her placement, standing on the globe like that? Curator: Precisely! The globe implies dominion, but consider *whose* dominion it really represents. In the context of 16th-century Europe, how complicit might the idea of ‘Fame’ be with the colonization, dispossession, and subjugation happening globally at that time? Editor: So, are you saying that this image, while beautiful, may also subtly reinforce existing power structures and imperial ambitions? The idea of “Fame” as a justification, or even a reward, for conquest? Curator: It’s worth considering, isn't it? This image presents a compelling figure, but by situating the image within broader social and historical narratives, we are pushed to question whose interests this representation of "Fame" truly serves. Editor: I never thought about it that way. It makes you realize that even seemingly innocent artworks can be deeply connected to the power dynamics of their time. Curator: Exactly. And that understanding is crucial if we are to engage with art ethically and responsibly.