Polia in her bed-chamber beholidng the vision of the fierce triumph of love. Diana is put to flight by Venus, accompanied by Cupid with his large flaming torch. (Fol. C vii verso) 1499

Curator: Here we have a small print, roughly 11 by 13 centimeters, from an unknown artist, titled "Polia in her bed-chamber beholding the vision of the fierce triumph of love. Diana is put to flight by Venus, accompanied by Cupid with his large flaming torch." Editor: It’s stark, isn’t it? The stark black and white really amplifies the contrast between Polia's enclosed domesticity and the allegorical scene she beholds. Curator: Indeed, the composition divides the scene sharply. Notice the density of lines used to create depth and texture, especially in Diana's chariot pulled by reindeer and the contrasting light, airy touch in Polia's chamber. Editor: It makes you think about the labor involved in creating these prints, and how that act of reproduction made classical myths more accessible to a wider audience. The block would have allowed for numerous identical copies. Curator: Quite right. The artist uses line weight and hatching to suggest form, yet the overall effect feels somewhat flattened, emphasizing the conceptual over the representational. Editor: It's interesting to consider the materials used—the paper, ink, and the wood block itself—and how each contributes to the final image and its dissemination. Curator: Agreed. The image, while small, encapsulates complex ideas about love, beauty, and the power of classical mythology rendered into graphic form. Editor: Precisely, and seeing it now gives us a glimpse into a historical moment where art production was more closely tied to craft and accessibility.