Procession, with three groups of three men, each holding a gun 16th century

Editor: So, this is "Procession, with three groups of three men, each holding a gun," a 16th-century print housed here at the Met. I'm struck by the…almost comical seriousness of it all. It feels like a stage play frozen in time. What do you see when you look at this piece? Curator: Oh, darling, “comical seriousness” is spot on! It's like a regiment of meticulously dressed peacocks on their way to a very important… skirmish. I wonder, does that formal arrangement speak of military precision, or is there perhaps a touch of satire aimed at the pageantry of war? Notice how each group of three is almost identical – like a Renaissance boy band in uniform. And the little wisps of smoke above their matchlocks… it’s all quite delightful and absurd. Do you think the artist meant for us to smile? Editor: It does feel almost… deliberately theatrical. But the history tag makes me wonder, is this supposed to depict a real event, even with the overdressed peacocks? Curator: Ah, history… or perhaps *histrionics*! The line between the two can be blurry, especially when you add an artist’s imagination. It's entirely possible it's inspired by real events, maybe a specific company of soldiers. But I suspect our anonymous artist was more interested in making a statement about the theater of power. Editor: So, more about the image of power than the reality? I never would have considered that reading! It's incredible to see this artwork. Curator: Precisely! And that’s what makes art so delicious, isn’t it? It gives us permission to play with perception and ponder the possible. Now, darling, shall we go find some real peacocks?