The Letter Orders the Murder of Gonzalo Gustos and the Capture of the Infantes 1612

Curator: This engraving, by Antonio Tempesta, an Italian artist active in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, depicts "The Letter Orders the Murder of Gonzalo Gustos and the Capture of the Infantes." It's currently held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: Wow, it's like a stage play frozen in time. All these characters dramatically reacting. There's such tension, you can almost hear the whispers and the clank of those shackles. Curator: Tempesta was known for his detailed and dramatic battle scenes, and here, he employs a similar intensity to depict a scene of political intrigue and betrayal. Editor: I'm drawn to the central figures – the king, so composed, and the figures being taken away. The composition really guides your eye through the story. Curator: Absolutely. The careful use of line and shadow creates a real sense of depth and emphasizes the emotional weight of the scene within its historical context. Editor: Makes you think about how these power plays always end up costing someone everything. Tragic, really.