Canto 23, p. 188 1572

Curator: This is an anonymous work, “Canto 23, p. 188,” residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts a fraught scene of battle. What stands out for you? Editor: It feels brutal, stark. The black and white palette heightens the conflict, as if morality itself is in stark opposition, good versus evil. Curator: Indeed, and that’s likely intentional. These prints, dispersed across many copies, had the function of disseminating accessible narratives, often political ones. Editor: What's striking is the complete lack of subtlety. The chaos is palpable, isn't it? Do you think there is a conscious effort to depict the realities of war or more an idealized, propagandistic aim? Curator: Hard to say without knowing its original context, but the repetition of figures, the frantic energy, suggest a certain remove from lived experience. It’s a symbolic battle more than a literal one. Editor: Perhaps. I see the lack of individuality as a reflection of how soldiers are often treated – as expendable pieces in a larger game. Curator: A valid point, highlighting the power dynamics inherent in conflict. It's a compelling visual statement, however we interpret it. Editor: Absolutely. And one that perhaps resonates even more powerfully today.