Two angels supporting a cartouche or shield 1568 - 1577

Editor: Okay, next up is "Two Angels Supporting a Cartouche or Shield" made by Orazio de Santis sometime between 1568 and 1577. It’s an engraving, so a print. It’s really interesting—the figures are so sculptural, but the overall composition feels a bit...stiff. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: What stands out to me is how this image would have functioned within the broader social and political landscape. The cartouche, a blank shield, suggests this was intended to be customized, right? To broadcast power and status. It was an era defined by religious conflict and dynastic struggles. Consider where prints like this would circulate – among the elite, within court circles. Editor: So, not just art for art’s sake, but more like... propaganda, maybe? Curator: Not necessarily propaganda, but definitely imagery serving a purpose. The Baroque style emphasizes drama, but controlled drama. The angels, while seemingly pious, are also symbols of authority. The image aimed to associate whoever commissioned this with divine blessing and refined taste. Do you think its symbolism and use helped or hindered it as art? Editor: I hadn't thought about the target audience, but I see that the artistic merits might've been secondary to communicating status or authority. Fascinating. Thanks for giving me something to think about. Curator: The intersection of art and power is always complex, which I find thought-provoking about Renaissance art. Focusing on its context enhances our appreciation for it.