Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Sacrifice to Hercules 1530 - 1560

This engraving entitled "Sacrifice to Hercules" was made by an anonymous artist in Italy. It shows us a scene of religious offering from the Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae, a collection that aimed to document the wonders of ancient Rome. But this isn't just a record. By the 16th century, Rome was the undisputed center of artistic production and patronage. The Catholic Church and wealthy families were major players, shaping the art world through commissions and collections. Reproducing and circulating images of classical art served a social purpose, promoting Rome as the new center of cultural power, and using classical imagery to celebrate Christian authority. This print is a clear example of the politics of imagery. To understand this artwork better, we can look to collections that housed similar works, and consider the social status of people who could own them. The meaning of art is always reliant on the social and institutional context in which it was made.