Sibylla Libyca c. 18th century

Curator: There’s a quiet thoughtfulness emanating from this engraving. Editor: Indeed. We are looking at Domenico Cunego's "Sibylla Libyca." While undated, Cunego was active in the 18th century, and his engravings often circulated widely, shaping public perception of classical figures. Curator: The Sibyls, prophetesses of antiquity, are fascinating figures of cultural memory. Notice her contemplative pose, the book in her hand – symbols of knowledge and foresight. The turban, though, feels…exoticized, doesn't it? Editor: It does. The turban and her presentation are of course a visual shorthand, a way for European audiences to place her within a broader understanding of the "Orient," which says much about the era's fascination with and misrepresentation of other cultures. Curator: The image, although still and quiet, holds the weight of both knowledge and cultural projection. Editor: Precisely, it reminds us that even in depictions of wisdom, there is always a perspective, a socio-political angle.