Illustration LXX c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have Illustration LXX, an anonymous work held at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts Aeneas, Achates, and Sibyl after their landing, as indicated by the inscription “MVSEVS." The style is striking! Editor: Absolutely! It's the strong linearity for me. Look at how the woodcut's lines define each figure and fold of fabric, creating a graphic and immediate impact. Curator: It's fascinating how this imagery served to disseminate classical stories. Prints like these made tales of heroism accessible to a wider audience, reshaping cultural narratives of leadership. Editor: I agree. And consider the labor involved. Each line meticulously carved, a testament to the skilled craftsperson translating myth into a tangible, reproducible form for consumption. Curator: The composition also highlights societal values, placing Aeneas, the leader, at the very center, flanked by his loyal companion and the prophetic Sibyl, reinforcing his authority. Editor: I appreciate that. It prompts us to consider the materials, the matrix and the printing press—the very technology shaping and spreading these ideals. Curator: Indeed, a compelling intersection of artistry and the socio-political forces shaping its reception. Editor: It's more than just image; it's process and the history of making and seeing.