Henry II and Diane de Poitiers c. 16th century

Editor: This is Jean Duvet's print, "Henry II and Diane de Poitiers," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's incredibly detailed. What symbols or visual motifs stand out to you in this piece? Curator: Look at the figures themselves. Henry II, with his scepter, echoes authority, but it's Diane who often commands the eye. Notice her symbols – crescent moons, allusions to Diana, the huntress. This wasn't just portraiture; it was about crafting a myth, wasn't it? Editor: A myth? Curator: Absolutely. This image is a carefully constructed narrative, almost an allegory. The dogs, the landscape, even the city in the background - all carefully chosen to convey power, love, and perhaps a carefully curated image for posterity. What do you make of that? Editor: I never considered how intentional the symbolism was. It makes the work much more complex. Curator: Indeed. And that is the power of visual language, isn't it? It shapes how we remember and interpret history.