Gezicht op de Ponte Nomentano 1631 - 1661

Editor: This etching, “Gezicht op de Ponte Nomentano,” or View of the Ponte Nomentano, made sometime between 1631 and 1661 by Israel Silvestre, presents this monumental scene with a surprising sense of intimacy. I’m really drawn to how Silvestre captured the light. What stands out to you? Curator: The light is compelling, yes, but I see in this print a dialogue between power and decay. The Ponte Nomentano was historically a critical infrastructure, literally and figuratively bridging communities. However, Silvestre captures it in a state of disrepair. Note the figures in the foreground; are they benefiting from this infrastructure, or are they perhaps squatters, living within its crumbling shadow? Editor: I hadn’t thought of it that way, as a symbol of something crumbling! It definitely adds a layer of complexity to the landscape. Do you think Silvestre was making a political statement? Curator: Possibly, but I also believe he’s inviting us to consider Rome’s layered histories. Think about how empires rise and fall, and what is left behind. What does it mean to depict such a historically charged location as Rome in a state of partial ruin during this early modern period? Are we looking at a nostalgic view or a commentary on shifting powers? Consider this work in light of, say, feminist architectural theory… how do buildings gender power? Editor: That’s fascinating! Thinking about the architecture as gendered—like this decaying bridge somehow represents power imbalances. Curator: Precisely. Silvestre’s choice of subject invites reflection on continuity, the transience of power, and who gets to benefit from these grand structures across history. Editor: I’m starting to see that it’s more than just a pretty view, it’s a really thoughtful piece. Curator: Indeed! Art allows us to excavate narratives within visual landscapes, prompting dialogues about society, power, and our place within these constructs.