Book XXVIII.21. Scipio exhibits a show of gladiators in New Carthage {Tertiae Decadis Liber Octavus p. CLXII verso} 1493

Editor: This woodcut print, titled "Book XXVIII.21. Scipio exhibits a show of gladiators in New Carthage," depicts a gladiatorial contest, the arena packed with spectators. It feels both brutal and performative. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a carefully constructed image that normalizes violence and hierarchies. Consider how the artist positions the audience above, literally looking down on the spectacle of two near-naked figures forced to fight. It reflects a power dynamic deeply embedded in the social fabric. Editor: So, the image itself perpetuates the violence it depicts? Curator: Precisely. The artist isn't merely recording an event; they're participating in the construction of a narrative that reinforces societal norms around dominance, control, and the dehumanization of certain bodies for entertainment. How does it feel to recognize that? Editor: It definitely shifts my perspective. I was focused on the action, but now I see the broader implications. Thanks! Curator: It's a reminder that art is never neutral; it always carries a social and political charge.