Enrico Dandolo c. 19th century

Curator: This is Vincenzo Della Bruna's portrait of Enrico Dandolo. Editor: He has such a stare—intense and unforgiving. I bet he was a real piece of work. Curator: Dandolo was the Doge of Venice, and the portrait suggests the weight of power and the expectations of leadership, which is interesting when we consider Venice's status as a maritime republic. Editor: It's the hat, isn't it? The ornate headgear screams authority, privilege, and "don't mess with me." Curator: Absolutely, but it’s also what the portrait doesn’t tell us. He was blind later in life. This challenges conventional notions of leadership and raises questions about how disability intersects with power. Editor: Wow, Della Bruna really captured the presence of a powerful figure even when limited in his sight. It kind of makes you wonder what it felt like to be him, navigating a world so different from ours. Curator: Precisely. It speaks to the complex, multi-layered nature of history. Editor: I'll never look at a portrait the same way again!