The Flight of Cloelia 1545 - 1551

Curator: Welcome. Here we have Battista Franco’s drawing, "The Flight of Cloelia," likely created between 1545 and 1551. Rendered in charcoal, this piece captures a dynamic moment, now housed here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: My first impression is one of breathless urgency. The monochromatic palette adds a stark drama, and the figure on horseback seems to burst from the static group on the left. Is this supposed to be a scene of...escape? Curator: Indeed. Franco illustrates the Roman legend of Cloelia, one of the young Roman women held hostage by Lars Porsena. Cloelia bravely led an escape, famously swimming across the Tiber to return to Rome. It became a celebrated tale of Roman courage and virtue. Editor: It’s interesting how Franco uses the medium itself to amplify this sense of urgency. The charcoal seems almost smeared in places, heightening the drama. Are those Roman soldiers looking on, trapped and despairing as she makes her bold getaway? Curator: Precisely. You can see that he effectively differentiates Cloelia’s dynamic movement from the rest of the subdued figures who stand back, frozen by her actions and likely aware of the implications for themselves. It’s fascinating how art reflects the cultural values and political undercurrents of its time. The artist chooses to present a powerful act of female agency for the public, imbuing it with Roman bravado. Editor: Yet I can't help but view it through a contemporary lens. The scene invites us to reflect on gender roles, courage, and the historical narratives that have shaped our understanding of women in positions of power. Also the horse itself! The scene’s charged moment hints to me at the symbolic association of freedom and agency represented by the means of Cloelia’s escape. Curator: And consider the piece’s original function. Likely intended as a study for a larger composition or engraving, it speaks volumes about the artistic process in the Renaissance. Also the choice of charcoal itself indicates an immediate approach and the development of complex images. Editor: I'm struck by the way the artist invites a dialogue between historical narrative and potent immediacy, pushing me to reconsider classical bravery, and the women who were written out of the cannon, but bravely showed up and fought hard. Curator: "The Flight of Cloelia" grants us entry into a dialogue on politics and bravery across centuries. It prompts us to examine the legacy and complexity surrounding representations of heroism and courage, particularly regarding female power.