Emperor Vitellus on Horseback 1596

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.