Book XXVIII.9. Marcus Livinius and Caius Claudius return to Rome {Tertiae Decadis Liber Octavus p. CLX} 1493

Curator: There's a striking sense of formality in this anonymous piece, "Book XXVIII.9. Marcus Livinius and Caius Claudius return to Rome." The stark black and white really emphasizes the figures and procession. Editor: I agree. It’s incredibly processional; the linear composition certainly reads as staged, almost propagandistic. How do you interpret the return being depicted here? Curator: Given the historical context, it’s likely portraying power and authority. The return to Rome was a symbolic act and as we see here, it visually reinforces social hierarchies through composition. The triumphal return of leaders was a significant event in Roman society. Editor: It's fascinating how such a simple print can convey so much about social structures and the role of leadership. This image also makes me consider how these returns might be received by different societal factions. Curator: Absolutely, and this piece encourages us to question whose narratives are valued and commemorated in art history. Editor: Indeed. It is a reminder that the politics of imagery continues to resonate today.