Mars Rewarding Valor c. 1796

Curator: This delicate print by Nicolas Colibert is titled "Mars Rewarding Valor." I am immediately struck by its airy lightness. Editor: Look at how Colibert is playing with the conventions of printmaking, using etching and aquatint to create such subtle tonal variations. It is unexpected in a martial subject. Curator: Yes, observe how the classical figure of Mars, god of war, is made approachable through this tender, almost playful scene of cherubic figures. Note the symbolic use of the olive branch and the weapons, representing peace and war in balance. Editor: But the copperplate itself—think of the labor involved, the dissemination of this imagery to a broader audience. The print medium made this allegorical scene widely accessible. Curator: Indeed, the medium amplifies its message. It suggests that valor, while rooted in strength, should ultimately serve peace. These images reinforce the values that will persist. Editor: It's fascinating how the chosen materials and the printmaking process themselves shape the reception of this seemingly straightforward moral lesson. Curator: It really speaks to the enduring power of symbols, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely, and the material choices reveal a lot about the society that consumed this imagery.