The Temple of Diana at Ephesus c. 16th century

Editor: This is Antonio Tempesta's "The Temple of Diana at Ephesus." It's a black and white print, seemingly depicting the temple's construction, but there’s something chaotic about the scene. What symbolic meaning do you find in it? Curator: The temple, dedicated to Diana, echoes the powerful Artemis of Ephesus, a goddess whose image was layered with symbols of fertility and abundance. But consider: is this construction, or perhaps reconstruction after the arson by Herostratus? That act, a pursuit of fame, haunts the image. Editor: So, the image captures both the glory of the temple and a moment of destruction? Curator: Precisely. The symbols clash, reflecting the tension between creation, destruction, and the enduring, often misguided, human quest for legacy. Editor: It’s fascinating how the imagery holds both the sacred and the profane. Curator: Yes, a visual echo of humanity’s complex relationship with its monuments and myths.