The Sun, from the series "The Seven Planetary Gods" early 20th century (original from c.1540)

Editor: This bronze relief, “The Sun, from the series 'The Seven Planetary Gods',” is quite small, but it really holds your attention. The figure seems so self-assured. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, considering planetary gods, we must examine the structures of power inherent in assigning celestial bodies to human-like figures. What does it mean to control the narrative of something so immense and uncontrollable as the sun? The sun-god figure holds a staff, a symbol of authority, but it is authority derived from celestial power. Editor: So, by depicting the sun as a god, does it normalize hierarchical structures? Curator: Precisely. And how might this influence societal roles, class, and gender? Think about who gets to be represented as divine, as powerful, and what impact that has on the rest of us. Editor: That really changes how I see this. It's not just a mythological figure; it's a statement about power dynamics. Curator: Exactly. It prompts us to question the very foundations upon which such structures are built.