Jupiter Armed with Lightning c. 18th century

Editor: This is "Jupiter Armed with Lightning," an engraving by Jean-Baptiste de Poilly. Jupiter looks so…brooding. He's clearly powerful, but also seems weighed down. What symbols stand out to you in this piece? Curator: The spear, his helmet, the rocky landscape—these are all visual shorthand for power, authority, and dominion over nature. But look at his face. Doesn't it remind you of the burdens of leadership? What is the psychological weight carried in those symbols? Editor: Yes, that tension is palpable. He embodies strength, but his expression hints at weariness. Curator: Precisely. Poilly seems to explore not just the glory, but the psychological implications of wielding such power. The symbols carry both cultural and emotional resonance. Editor: I never considered how much emotion symbols could hold. It's more than just a historical depiction. Curator: Indeed. It’s a reflection on power itself.