About this artwork
Editor: Here we have Antonio Tempesta's "Emperor Vitellus on Horseback". It's an engraving. I find the horse's unicorn horn a bit… unexpected. What do you see in this image? Curator: The unicorn, while fantastical, speaks to the image's broader political context. How are emperors, then and now, using imagery to convey authority and legitimacy? Editor: So, the unicorn adds to Vitellius's perceived power? Curator: Precisely. It elevates him, associating him with rarity, purity, and perhaps even divinely sanctioned rule. Do you think such symbolism resonates today? Editor: I never thought about the choice of mythical creatures as political propaganda. Thank you.
Emperor Vitellus on Horseback
1596
Artwork details
- Dimensions
- 30.5 x 22.5 cm (12 x 8 7/8 in.)
- Location
- Harvard Art Museums
- Copyright
- CC0 1.0
Comments
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About this artwork
Editor: Here we have Antonio Tempesta's "Emperor Vitellus on Horseback". It's an engraving. I find the horse's unicorn horn a bit… unexpected. What do you see in this image? Curator: The unicorn, while fantastical, speaks to the image's broader political context. How are emperors, then and now, using imagery to convey authority and legitimacy? Editor: So, the unicorn adds to Vitellius's perceived power? Curator: Precisely. It elevates him, associating him with rarity, purity, and perhaps even divinely sanctioned rule. Do you think such symbolism resonates today? Editor: I never thought about the choice of mythical creatures as political propaganda. Thank you.
Comments
Share your thoughts