Cortes and Pizarro c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Edward Goodall’s "Cortes and Pizarro," location unknown. It almost looks like an illustration from a history book, with those figures standing in what looks like a grand hall. What story do you think it's trying to tell? Curator: It’s interesting how Goodall positions Cortes and Pizarro within such a grandiose setting, almost like a stage. Who gets to be remembered through these historical depictions, and how does that shape our understanding of colonialism? Editor: That's a really interesting point. It makes you wonder what Goodall thought of these figures. Curator: Exactly! Was he glorifying them, or perhaps subtly critiquing the institutions that celebrated them? Editor: I hadn't considered the piece could be a critique. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: It’s a constant process of re-evaluation, isn’t it?