Soldiers with Carts Pulled by Oxen and Horses 1675

Curator: Let’s take a look at "Soldiers with Carts Pulled by Oxen and Horses," a dynamic print by Antoinette Bouzonnet-Stella. What’s your initial take? Editor: It feels like a classical frieze come to life, doesn't it? All that bustling energy, and the way the artist captures the weight of those oxen... it’s like a parade of power. Curator: Absolutely. Notice how Bouzonnet-Stella uses the oxen as more than just beasts of burden. Throughout history, oxen have symbolized everything from patience and strength to sacrifice. Their inclusion here elevates the scene. Editor: It also seems to echo ancient Roman triumphs. The way the figures are depicted, carrying shields and trophies, gives the whole thing a grand, almost mythological air. I wonder what specific triumph or event she was hoping to recall or invoke? Curator: It reminds us that victory and conquest are not just about weapons and warriors. There’s a whole support system, an infrastructure of labor and resources that makes it all possible. Editor: So, in a way, it’s a meditation on the many faces of power? Curator: Exactly. Bouzonnet-Stella invites us to consider the complexities behind every triumphal march. It gives us a complete picture.