Book XXII.17. Romans see oxen breathing out fire and realize their horns are on fire {Tertiae Decadis Liber Secundus p. CV} 1493

Editor: This captivating image, "Book XXII.17. Romans see oxen breathing out fire..." is an anonymous work. The stark black and white and dramatic subject matter give it an otherworldly feel. What historical context illuminates this piece? Curator: Consider the role of the printing press. This image, likely a woodcut, made knowledge accessible. The fantastical scene of oxen with fiery horns served to both inform and instill awe, shaping public perceptions of the past and the unknown through dramatic and easily reproducible imagery. Editor: So, it's less about historical accuracy and more about shaping a specific narrative? Curator: Precisely. How does this imagery contribute to the construction of cultural memory and societal values at the time? Editor: That makes me see the print in a whole new light, as a tool for shaping belief! Curator: Indeed. It prompts us to think about how images still function in similar ways today.