Emperor Vitellus on Horseback by Antonio Tempesta

Emperor Vitellus on Horseback

1596

0:00
0:00

Artwork details

Dimensions
30.5 x 22.5 cm (12 x 8 7/8 in.)
Location
Harvard Art Museums
Copyright
CC0 1.0

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