Bas-relief of a Sacrificial Procession c. 19th century

Editor: This is "Bas-relief of a Sacrificial Procession" by Gaetano Bonatti. It depicts a group of figures leading animals, seemingly towards a temple. What can you tell me about this image in relation to power and society? Curator: It's fascinating to consider sacrifice as a performance of power. Who benefits from this display? Who is excluded, and what does the act of sacrifice legitimize in this society? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. I was so focused on the visual narrative, I didn’t think about the social dynamics. Curator: Exactly! By questioning the power dynamics, we can unpack the underlying ideologies embedded within the artwork. Editor: That gives me a lot to consider about how art reflects, and reinforces, societal structures. Curator: Indeed. And by looking at it critically, we can engage in a dialogue about those structures and their relevance today.