Auxillary Soldiers and Lancers 1675

Editor: This is "Auxiliary Soldiers and Lancers" by Antoinette Bouzonnet-Stella. It's a striking print showing a procession of Roman soldiers, and there's a real sense of movement in the composition. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: The depiction of military power is always a political statement. Consider the context: a female artist representing Roman soldiers. Is she glorifying empire, or perhaps subtly critiquing the patriarchal structures inherent in military power? What does this image suggest about the role of women in shaping historical narratives? Editor: So, you're thinking about the artist's perspective and how her gender might influence the work's interpretation? Curator: Precisely. It compels us to question whose voices are amplified in historical accounts and whose are marginalized or silenced.