Borghese vaas 1688 - 1698

This is an undated drawing of the Borghese Vase by an anonymous artist, now held at the Rijksmuseum. It’s important to understand that this vase, with its classical imagery, existed during a period of fervent interest in antiquity. By reproducing classical forms, artists and patrons sought to connect with a lineage of power and cultural prestige. Yet, this appropriation also begs the question: who gets to claim this legacy? The figures adorning the vase – gods, mythical beings – were often depicted according to specific ideals of beauty and status. Consider how this imagery might have reinforced existing social hierarchies or excluded certain identities. How do we reconcile the beauty of the object with the power dynamics it may have perpetuated? Think about the stories these images tell and whose voices are amplified or silenced in their telling.