The Battle of Hercules and the Giants c. 1470s - 1480s

Curator: Here we have "The Battle of Hercules and the Giants," an engraving attributed to the School of Antonio Pollaiuolo, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is the sheer violence and dynamism packed into this relatively small space. Curator: Absolutely. Consider the symbolism of Hercules, a figure of masculine strength, perpetually battling "giants," those who challenge the established order and social hierarchies. Editor: There's a cultural memory embedded here. The giants themselves, often depicted as monstrous or barbaric, represent the fear of the "other," the outsider challenging the civilized world. Curator: And the ways in which these bodies are contorted, thrust into conflict - it’s a representation of the anxieties around power, legitimacy, and the constant struggle to maintain dominance. Editor: Seeing how Hercules’s story continues to resonate tells us about the enduring anxieties of civilization, and the symbols we employ to navigate them. Curator: It’s a reflection of the cyclical nature of history and power. Editor: A potent reminder of the images we inherit and how they shape our present.