South Door of Baptistery of Florence c. 19th century

Curator: This is Giovanni Paolo Lasinio's rendering of the South Door of the Baptistery of Florence. I find the figures incredibly serene, almost stoic. Editor: Yes, especially when considering the subjects, which are Fortitude and Temperance, two virtues laden with centuries of, well, power dynamics. Curator: The choice to depict them this way is quite intriguing. It really makes me think about the weight of these virtues, like an emotional armor, if you will. Editor: Precisely! And how these virtues have historically been used to constrain certain groups, particularly women, and how they intersect with class and race as well. Curator: Interesting, very interesting. They seem to embody a sense of resilience, which is almost dreamlike. Editor: Well, it's a reminder that even virtues can be instruments of oppression, prompting us to examine the values we hold dear, and why. Curator: A sober assessment, but apt nonetheless. Editor: Always, darling, always.