School of Athens c. 17th century

Editor: This is Louis Cossin’s “School of Athens,” from the 17th century, currently at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a print, so I’m struck by how he managed to convey such depth and perspective. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The "School of Athens" has long been read as a celebration of classical philosophy, yet who is invited to this table of knowledge? Consider the absence of women and the Eurocentric presentation of wisdom. How does this impact our understanding of intellectual history? Editor: That's a good point. I hadn’t considered the exclusive nature of the scene. Curator: Exactly. It's a powerful reminder that historical narratives are always shaped by power dynamics and who gets to tell the story. Editor: I'll definitely look at it differently now. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It’s important to analyze the voices that are missing from these artworks.