Diana and Actaeon c. 18th century

Curator: Giovanni Ottaviani's "Diana and Actaeon" presents a rather tense, secretive gathering of women in a bath. The sepia wash gives it a hurried, almost illicit feel, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely. Look at the medium itself, the etching—its accessibility speaks to a broader consumption. Who has access and who is being watched in this scene? It questions the power dynamics inherent in the myth. Curator: It also shows Ottaviani’s mastery of line and tonal variation using a relatively simple printmaking process. The economic factors involved in producing an image for the masses is quite interesting to consider. Editor: It's interesting to read this through a lens of consent and vulnerability, isn’t it? Diana’s space and the power she holds over her body, violated by Actaeon’s gaze... Curator: That’s an interesting perspective. I was intrigued by Ottaviani’s labor, transforming classical forms into easily reproducible commodities. Editor: Indeed. It is a potent reminder of the gaze and the violation of privacy, especially concerning women's bodies throughout history. I’m so glad we could unpack this piece together!