Combats et Triomphes 1540 - 1583

Curator: This detailed engraving, titled "Combats et Triomphes," was created by Etienne Delaune between 1540 and 1583. It’s currently housed here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The medium is ink on what looks to be high-quality paper. Editor: It feels incredibly busy; my initial response is that there's just so much happening. There's a strong sense of movement, yet also of being weighed down by... something. The grey hues really emphasize that. Curator: Well, if we consider Delaune’s role, we find him straddling both goldsmithing and printmaking—challenging what some may see as high versus low art. The intricacy we see here is very much reflective of the skills necessary for both professions. We can appreciate the meticulous process involved in its production. Editor: That's fascinating to think about concerning labor and class. Looking closer, I’m noticing the female nudes seated amongst the spoils and ruins of battle; a really interesting interplay between classical ideas of triumphant strength and its cost, particularly, perhaps, for women who are usually rendered voiceless by such narratives. How do we see these representations in a post-#MeToo world? Curator: Absolutely. Moreover, from a material perspective, prints such as this facilitated the dissemination of allegorical imagery across Europe, driving changes in aesthetic preferences. Each strike of the tool, each line etched, played a crucial role in that process, impacting not only what elites consumed visually, but also what messages were received, even about, and concerning gender. Editor: The artistic labor of engraving itself becomes a carrier of ideological meaning then? What statements are we to assume were being made? Do we glorify war, lament war or are we asked to focus on the nude subjects positioned within a battle context, with no real sign of concern for surrounding events? It's thought-provoking, the artist gives much, yet asks so much more of us. Curator: Precisely. And that exchange between object, maker, and audience is crucial. By understanding Delaune’s labor—his material choices and technical processes—we gain deeper insight into the complexities of 16th-century print culture. Editor: It also pushes us to consider the gender politics inherent in these celebrations of male conquest, right down to the engraving process. The legacy is felt and extends into current events and dialogues that consider themes of historical art and identity. Curator: Precisely! Thinking about the material practices brings us full circle as we consider labor involved, along with this lasting image. Editor: A truly challenging and layered work, ripe for consideration.