Defeat of the Saracens at Ostia c. 19th century

Curator: This is Annibale Costa's "Defeat of the Saracens at Ostia," currently residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts a significant historical clash. Editor: It strikes me as a bit chaotic at first glance. The composition seems packed, almost like a battlefield frozen in time. There's a strange tension between stillness and violent motion. Curator: Considering its subject matter, that tension is deliberate, I think. The image echoes historical narratives of victory, but one wonders what story it obscures. Editor: Exactly! It prompts questions about who gets to define victory, and at what cost? Beyond the celebration, what about the vanquished, the lost stories? Curator: Perhaps Costa invites that reflection. He leaves the image open-ended, prompting us to ponder the complexities beyond the triumphant scene. Editor: Absolutely, it's a reminder that historical accounts are never neutral, always layered with power and perspective.