Optocht bij antieke tempel 1774 - 1849

Luigi Ademollo made this print, *Optocht bij antieke tempel*, which translates to *Procession at an ancient temple*, sometime between 1779 and 1849 using etching and aquatint. Ademollo lived during a time of great political and social change in Europe, including the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon, which led to a renewed interest in classical antiquity. Here, Ademollo imagines an allegorical, historical scene. It’s hard not to notice that the bodies in the image are idealized with a Neoclassical aesthetic, alluding to ancient Greek and Roman ideals of beauty and heroism. These bodies also reflect a certain hierarchy: those on the temple are segregated, literally elevated, which seems to say something about the organization of power in that society. Notice too how the procession is male dominated and the few women we see are passive. This work visualizes a moment in the past while reflecting the values and power structures of Ademollo's contemporary world. The emotional impact lies in its ability to transport us to another time, prompting reflection on the relationship between the past and the present.