Menelaus with his men c. 15th century

Editor: Here we have "Menelaus with his men," made by an anonymous artist. I'm really struck by the linear quality and how the figures seem to be arranged almost like a stage production. What are your thoughts? Curator: It reminds us that art wasn't always about individual genius, but often served public functions. Consider how such imagery, disseminated through print, shaped perceptions of power and governance. What political messages might this composition have conveyed to its contemporary audience? Editor: It seems to emphasize order and hierarchy. I didn't initially consider its wider societal implications. Curator: Exactly. The visual language reinforces existing social structures. Appreciating that allows us to understand how images participated in the power dynamics of the time. Editor: I see. Thanks, I've learned a lot.