Cortes and Pizarro c. 19th century

Curator: Before us is Edward Goodall's "Cortes and Pizarro," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's a haunting quality to it, isn't there? The vast interior dwarfs the figures, making them seem almost spectral. Curator: Indeed. Goodall captures the power dynamic inherent in colonialism. The cathedral looms, representing the imposition of European power. Cortes and Pizarro, historically figures of conquest, stand diminished beneath it. It speaks volumes about cultural erasure. Editor: Absolutely. The stark contrast of light and shadow emphasizes the cathedral's dominance, visually symbolizing the suppression of indigenous beliefs and traditions. These symbolic elements serve as constant reminders of the colonial encounter. Curator: It's a visual commentary on the legacies of colonialism that are still felt today, even in the very architecture that we inhabit. Editor: It invites us to reflect on the layers of meaning encoded in our visual environment.