La Giostra di Giuliano de Medici... 1490 - 1505

Curator: This woodcut, titled "La Giostra di Giuliano de Medici..." from around 1490 to 1505, is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It seems to depict a scene with a knight on horseback, but it’s not immediately clear what story it is illustrating. What do you see in it? Editor: I am drawn to the linear quality, and the stark contrast. It reminds me of illuminated manuscripts but without the color. It's striking how this one image feels almost like a symbolic representation of the entire narrative contained within the book. I’m wondering about the intended audience, and how they might have understood its imagery. Curator: That's a perceptive observation. Considering the context of the Italian Renaissance and the ruling Medici family, this image operates on multiple levels. It is of course a literal depiction of a jousting match but, what about this as a political symbol, connecting Giuliano de Medici with notions of chivalry and nobility? How does the context of the Medici's patronage and power structure how it functions? Editor: So it’s not just a picture of a knight. You’re saying it’s tied to power dynamics, almost propaganda in a way. I can see the deliberate connection now – projecting strength and virtue through classical ideals. It speaks to image construction and legitimization, beyond just telling a story. I'm thinking about how the Renaissance sought to reclaim classical values... Curator: Exactly! And consider the power dynamics inherent in who could even access such a book. Who gets to read this story of Giuliano de Medici? What about access and the role of power in the production of knowledge? And what narrative does this image reinforce? Editor: It really shifts my understanding. It's more than decorative, it's carefully curated to promote an image, reinforcing the power of the Medici family and shaping their legacy. Thinking about who has access and who doesn't is key. Thank you for the insight.