Hector meets with his men c. 15th century

Curator: This woodcut, "Hector meets with his men," presents an evocative, if stylized, vision of leadership and conflict. It belongs to the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: I'm struck by the density of the scene, those multitudes assembled behind Hector's tent – it feels urgent, a pivotal moment before battle. Curator: Absolutely. The artist, sadly anonymous, employs distinct visual language, imbuing the scene with immediate symbolic weight. The tent itself, a fragile barrier between strategy and chaos. Editor: It’s compelling how the work places the men at ease in conversation but ready for war, isn’t it? In this way, the image seems to grapple with how power, even in ancient narratives, is so inextricably linked with masculinity. Curator: Yes, and look at the repetition of the tent motif, a recurring symbol of impermanence but also of refuge and command. The eye is drawn to the figures as archetypes, more than individuals. Editor: It makes you wonder about the intended audience—who was meant to find resonance in these scenes of leadership and conflict? Curator: Indeed, a potent reminder that artistic choices always carry layered significance. Editor: It prompts reflection on how we continue to represent and mythologize power today.