Gemma Tiberiana (The Apotheosis of Germanicus) c. 17th century

Curator: This print is Cornelis Galle the Elder's "Gemma Tiberiana (The Apotheosis of Germanicus)," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. I'm struck by the sheer density of figures, all rendered in incredible detail. Editor: Yes, it's almost overwhelming. I wonder about the labor involved in creating such a complex image with such a monochrome palette, and how that affects its reception. Curator: The upward movement implies a strong sense of transcendence, doesn't it? A visual representation of apotheosis, a human elevated to divine status. Notice the figures on horseback ascending heavenward. Editor: Indeed. It speaks to the Roman preoccupation with power, and how even in print form, that power is being circulated and consumed. The material replicates the message. Curator: Absolutely. It leaves me pondering the enduring human desire to immortalize ourselves through visual representation. Editor: And for me, it raises questions about the cultural values embedded in the materials used and the labor expended.