Details uit de ontmoeting tussen paus Leo I de Grote en Attila de Hun 1750 - 1800

Editor: So, this print, "Details uit de ontmoeting tussen paus Leo I de Grote en Attila de Hun," dating from somewhere between 1750 and 1800, uses etching and engraving. It’s a bit static, almost like a lineup. What catches your eye about it? Curator: It's fascinating to see this scene rendered as a series of portraits, especially given its historical weight. Consider how history painting served a powerful public function during this era. What statement do you think this visual strategy makes, compared to, say, a more dramatic, dynamic depiction of the event? Editor: I hadn’t thought about it like that. A painting of the meeting would have been active. This print focuses on representation as a show of power, I suppose. Each person becomes a symbol of an idea: sacred, civic, barbarian… but do you think making it reproducible affected the intent? Curator: Absolutely. Prints democratized imagery. Consider the print’s circulation and audience. Who was meant to see this, and what message were they supposed to take away? It's not just about illustrating a historical event; it's about reinforcing particular social hierarchies. The printing process implies that this message can be spread everywhere! Does that begin to make a difference to your response to the art? Editor: I see that more clearly now. Thanks. Before, I only looked at it as some simple artwork that captured the record of some moment. Curator: And now, by looking through a social and historical lens, we can recognize it as an assertion of authority made palatable for wider consumption. Editor: Yes, thinking about the audience makes a big difference.