Copy from Trajan's Column c. 17th century

Curator: Here we have a drawing, "Copy from Trajan's Column," attributed to Polidoro da Caravaggio. It’s rendered in reddish-brown ink, and depicts a dynamic scene with a horse and riders. Editor: The energy is palpable. The composition feels unstable, almost chaotic, due to the diagonal lines and the compression of figures within the frame. Curator: Caravaggio's choice to copy from Trajan's Column situates this work within a tradition of Roman military power and imperial propaganda. The column itself was a symbol of victory, and copying it links the artist to that legacy. Editor: I see that. The red ink heightens the drama. It’s not just a neutral drawing; it's charged with aggression, perhaps even bloodlust. Curator: The figures, seemingly locked in combat, evoke enduring themes of conflict, heroism, and the human cost of war—themes that resonate across centuries. Editor: Yes, the rawness of the style also brings to mind the immediacy of conflict. It's a fragment, but so potent. Curator: It's intriguing how Caravaggio used this ancient source to explore timeless aspects of human nature. Editor: Indeed, seeing it this way helps to distill a sense of history and emotion.