Ariosto (?) c. 17th century

Editor: This is a print called "Ariosto (?)," by Reinier van Persyn, currently at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels very formal, almost like a public monument in printed form. What stands out to you about it? Curator: It's fascinating how printmaking allowed for the democratization of portraiture. Before, only the wealthy could afford painted portraits. This print, likely intended for a book or collection, brings the image of a scholar, possibly the poet Ariosto, to a wider audience. It elevates him to almost iconic status, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Definitely, it has an air of importance. So the very act of reproducing this image gives it political weight? Curator: Precisely! Consider the role of art in shaping public perception. Prints like this helped create and circulate idealized images of important figures, influencing how they were remembered and celebrated, or even critiqued. The inscriptions further cement his legacy, embedding him within a historical narrative. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. It makes me wonder about the other agendas at play here! Curator: Exactly. The politics of imagery are always worth exploring.