Coriolanus Refusing to See the Roman Ambassadors c. 17th century

Editor: This print, "Coriolanus Refusing to See the Roman Ambassadors," by Charles de La Haye, depicts a scene charged with tension. What resonates most with you in this composition? Curator: It's fascinating how La Haye uses symbolic gestures. Coriolanus's posture, rigid and unyielding, speaks volumes about pride and refusal. Consider the pleading figures – what cultural memory does this evoke? Editor: It reminds me of depictions of supplication or divine judgment, moments of high drama. Curator: Precisely. And the ambassador's raised hand? It isn't just pointing; it's a symbol of Roman authority, now rejected. What does this refusal imply about Coriolanus's psychological state, his inner conflict? Editor: It shows his defiance, perhaps a self-destructive pride. I hadn’t considered the psychological weight of each gesture.