Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, Taken Captive c. 16th century

Curator: This is Hans Burgkmair's "Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, Taken Captive," held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's a somber image—the receding lines create a dense visual plane, trapping the figures. Curator: Indeed. Burgkmair, active in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, was very interested in capturing social narratives through prints, like this depiction of Sforza's capture. The material—likely woodcut—is key. Editor: The rigid, almost mechanical, lines convey the impersonal nature of the historical event. It emphasizes the duke's powerlessness. Curator: The print's reproduction allowed for wide dissemination, shaping public perception of powerful figures like Sforza and impacting the broader understanding of military campaigns. Editor: Even without color, the image creates a sense of inescapable drama, the repeating spears like prison bars. Curator: It's a stark portrayal of power and its loss, circulated through the very accessible medium of printmaking. Editor: A powerful visual statement, even now.