The Triumph of Titus and Vespasian 1729 - 1739

Curator: Louis Desplaces created this engraving, "The Triumph of Titus and Vespasian." The sheet measures approximately 45 by 59 centimeters and resides at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels like a very staged depiction of power, almost suffocatingly celebratory. The tight composition certainly adds to that feeling. Curator: Engravings like this were widely disseminated; consider the labor involved in producing multiple impressions and how that labor connects to the glorification of imperial power. Editor: Absolutely. Note the angel crowning Titus—a clear symbol of divine right, reinforcing the emperors’ authority. It is a well-worn image, but effective propaganda. Curator: Indeed, Desplaces’ choice of engraving allowed this message to reach a broad audience, shaping perceptions of Roman leadership throughout Europe. The materiality of the print itself aided its message. Editor: It is a fascinating combination of artistic skill employed for political ends. The symbols are so overt! Curator: It serves as a poignant reminder of how art has been used to manufacture consent and uphold power. Editor: Leaving us to consider how those images persist.