from Aymon Cravettae (of Savigliano), Consilia 1543

Curator: Here we have a title page, "from Aymon Cravettae (of Savigliano), Consilia," a work from 1543 currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s so busy, almost overwhelming. All these figures packed into an architectural frame—it feels like a stage set, but for a very serious drama. Curator: Indeed. The printer uses symbols of justice and figures of authority to convey credibility. Look at the portraits embedded within the architectural structure. They evoke a sense of history and lineage, emphasizing the weight of tradition. Editor: And the central image—is that meant to be Cravettae himself, dispensing wisdom? It's very staged, very consciously constructing a sense of importance and legitimacy around this legal text. The date, so prominently displayed, almost seems like a brand. Curator: It reinforces that sense of authority, situating the work within a specific moment in time and history. It’s an assertion of relevance. Editor: Looking closer, I think it's fascinating how they blended classical imagery with contemporary portraiture. It is a statement of power, both temporal and enduring. Curator: Agreed. It speaks volumes about how legal knowledge was being presented and consumed in the 16th century.