Dish 1525 - 1540

This painted ceramic dish was created by Fra Xanto Avelli da Rovigo in the 16th century. Avelli was active during the Italian Renaissance, a period defined by the revival of classical art and learning. But in whose image was this revival fashioned? Looking at the scene depicted, it is clear that Avelli aimed to showcase dramatic action and human emotion through a classical lens. We see a chaotic scene of battle and abduction rendered in vivid colors. The figures, idealized and heroic, evoke stories of ancient gods and mortals. However, we might ask, whose stories were considered worthy of depiction, and whose were left untold? The male figures dominate, engaged in violence and conquest, while the female figures are victims of abduction. This dish can be viewed as a reflection of the patriarchal values of Renaissance society, but we might also see in it the enduring power of narrative to shape our understanding of history.