Dido 1620 - 1664

Editor: So, this is Stefano della Bella's etching of Dido, dating sometime between 1620 and 1664. I'm really struck by how she's depicted, riding high on this elaborately draped horse. The city seems to be rising behind her. What symbols do you see at play here? Curator: The cityscape certainly offers one potent layer, doesn't it? Consider how cities, even nascent ones like Carthage in the Dido mythos, often function as symbols of civilization, power, and even aspiration. Dido, as the city's founder and queen, becomes inextricably linked to these ideals. But it’s the horse that draws my attention – in many cultures, the horse is not merely a beast of burden, but an emblem of nobility, strength, and freedom, often linked with solar symbolism. Could it represent Dido's reign or untamed desires? Editor: Untamed desires? Curator: Indeed. The print hints at a psychological tension – the weight of leadership and destiny. What of her garments? How do those communicate something to us? Editor: They feel luxurious but also somewhat…confining. They obscure her form, maybe symbolizing the constraints of her royal role. Curator: Precisely. These are signs of power, absolutely, but look closely at the positioning of her hands. They don’t hold the reins of power so much as merely rest there, lightly. Perhaps Bella captures Dido not just as a ruler, but as a woman bound by duty, headed toward a tragic fate and remembered for all time, *celebre*. Don't you find the image infused with cultural memory and layered meanings? Editor: Absolutely, it's interesting to see how even details in clothing can contribute to a deeper understanding. It changes my perception entirely. Curator: I find this glimpse into Bella’s vision very valuable. What will you do with that knowledge?