Jupiter Hurling Thunderbolts at the Giants c. 16th century

Curator: Bartoli's "Jupiter Hurling Thunderbolts at the Giants" presents a dramatic scene. It reminds me of those Baroque ceilings, full of swirling action and divine retribution. Editor: Right? It feels like a fever dream rendered in ink. All this chaos packed into something so finite – it’s almost claustrophobic. Curator: Consider the context, though. Bartoli, active in the 17th century, taps into a visual language that reinforced power structures. Jupiter's dominance over the giants, it's about asserting divine order. Editor: And the giants being struck down look like the rest of us when we’re facing something we don’t understand. The power, that’s very relevant today. Curator: Absolutely, the political nature of imagery. Bartoli's piece is a window into how art was utilized. Editor: It’s a stark reminder that what we see is so rarely just what it is. Curator: Precisely. Bartoli provides a valuable illustration of the powerful forces behind art. Editor: I'll look at thunderstorms differently from now on.