Book I.58. Sextus Tarquinius rapes Lucretia {Primae Decadis Liber Primus p. XI} 1493

Editor: This is an anonymous print titled "Book I.58. Sextus Tarquinius rapes Lucretia," and it depicts a rather disturbing scene. What stands out to you about its historical and cultural significance? Curator: The starkness of the woodcut emphasizes the brutal act itself, stripping away any romanticism. Consider the labor involved in creating such a print; each line carefully carved, each impression a repetition of power dynamics and the consumption of this narrative. How does the medium itself contribute to our understanding of the event? Editor: That's a powerful perspective. I hadn't considered the physical act of creating the image as part of the story. Curator: Precisely. The print becomes a commodity, circulating and reinforcing societal views on gender and violence. Editor: I see. Analyzing the means of production gives the image another layer of interpretation. Thank you! Curator: Indeed, examining the materiality provides valuable insights!