Frontispiece to "Fiesole distrutta" 1619

Editor: We're looking at "Frontispiece to 'Fiesole distrutta'" by Jacques Callot, a small etching. It feels very staged, almost theatrical, with the figures and draped banner. What's the story behind this imagery? Curator: This print acts as the title page for a play about the destruction of Fiesole. Callot presents the devastation not just as a historical event, but as a drama orchestrated for the public. Notice the Medici coat of arms; how does its prominent placement affect your interpretation? Editor: It suggests the Medici family, as Dukes of Tuscany, had a vested interest in controlling the narrative of this historical event. It's like they're sponsoring the story. Curator: Exactly. Callot uses the visual language of power, associating the play—and by extension, the historical event—with Medici authority and patronage. The print becomes a form of political propaganda, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely. I hadn't considered how much the visual choices contribute to shaping the viewers understanding.