Baptism of Constantine c. 19th century

Editor: This is Nicolas Sangiorgi's "Baptism of Constantine" from the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like an engraving. It's got such a formal, staged feel. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It presents Constantine's baptism, but let's consider the power dynamics at play. Who gets to decide what constitutes salvation? And how does this image reinforce or challenge existing hierarchies of race, class, and gender? Editor: So, the baptism isn't just a religious act, it's also political? Curator: Precisely. It’s about legitimizing power, imposing a specific belief system, and shaping cultural narratives. Considering the bodies depicted, what does it say about who is being saved and who is doing the saving? Editor: That really changes how I view the whole scene. Thanks! Curator: Glad to offer a new perspective; art is all about questioning those assumptions.