The Piazza, Siena 1631

Editor: So, this is Bernardino Capitelli’s 1631 engraving, “The Piazza, Siena.” It looks incredibly dynamic; you can almost feel the energy of the crowd and the chaos of the… bullfight? What do you see in this piece? It feels like there’s a lot going on. Curator: Doesn't it though! It's funny, to me, the chaos is almost…choreographed. Capitelli’s use of line is so confident, isn't it? There’s this beautiful tension between order, the architectural precision capturing the grandeur of the Piazza, and pure, exhilarating disorder of the bull-baiting itself. I get the impression it’s less a scene of wanton frenzy, and more a symbolic representation of the social energies – think about how a community uses an animal as a symbol of vitality and a collective sense of themselves. But what story do *you* see unfolding in that arena, as you look at the movement he creates? Editor: I hadn't thought about the 'choreographed' aspect. Now that you mention it, I see what you mean. The crowd, though densely packed, feels organized, contained within the architecture. But the individuals within the ring seem almost… desparate. Do you think it's a reflection of that social tension between those who rule and those who... don't? Curator: Ah! Love that instinct for a challenge! To me it asks, how much control *do* we truly have? Even over a celebration? And of course, any visual expression always bounces between our intention, the image’s, and yours as the viewer…! Is anyone truly 'ruling', in your eyes here, Editor? Even the nobles, stuck up on their stands - who decides who is 'nobel'? This thing sings of an anarchic freedom, doesn't it! A kind of release. Editor: I suppose you're right. 'Ruling' implies someone's actually in charge. It just feels wild. Curator: And sometimes, the greatest art simply celebrates the beautifully ungovernable wildness within us. Which might be worth thinking about these days, hmm? Editor: Absolutely. Thanks, that was… really insightful.