Xenophon's Sacrifice after the Chase c. 16th century

Curator: This is Pietro Aquila’s "Xenophon's Sacrifice after the Chase," an undated engraving from the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a rather busy scene. Editor: My first thought? Organized chaos. There's a lot happening, but it feels like a carefully choreographed dance, everyone in their designated spot. Curator: Look at the temple in the background. The Doric columns frame the figures, rooting the scene in classical ideals. And the figures themselves... Xenophon, the leader, orchestrates this sacrifice, a thanksgiving for their safe return. Editor: Sacrifice, right. It's primal, this act of giving back. And I love the little cherubs peeking in from the left, almost like curious bystanders. It reminds me how these rituals connect us to something ancient, something bigger than ourselves. Curator: Indeed. Sacrifice and gratitude are universal concepts, made tangible through symbols of faith and community. This scene reminds us of the power of shared rituals. Editor: And it makes you think, doesn’t it? What do we sacrifice today? What are our rituals of thanks?