Colonna rostrata 1651

Editor: So, this is Giovanni Maggi’s "Colonna rostrata," created in 1651. It’s a black and white print showcasing a triumphal arch. What strikes me is the strange column in the center, adorned with what look like ships. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Indeed, the column *is* quite striking. Rostrata refers to the rostra, the rams, or beak-like prows of warships. To see them adorning a column speaks to a very specific understanding of triumph, of naval victory. Editor: Victory over what? The text at the bottom mentions "Selimo Imperator de Turchi." Curator: Precisely. Selim, the Ottoman Sultan. This isn't just a generic triumphal arch; it's celebrating a naval victory against the Ottoman Empire. What feeling do the ship images evoke for you? Editor: They look rather small, almost decorative. Is it perhaps a diminishing of their significance in comparison to the grand structure of the arch? Curator: It could suggest a controlled, contained victory – not overwhelming, but significant enough to warrant such commemoration. Notice how the ships are arranged symmetrically, rising up the column as if displayed as trophies. What does this tell you? Editor: A celebration, carefully planned and ordered, with the boats signifying domination over naval rivals and the importance of the patrons' lineage. Curator: Exactly. The Colonna family were prominent in Rome. This print becomes a record, a public statement of their power and legacy linked to the victory, even visually claiming a historical narrative by framing it within familiar, enduring architecture of Roman triumph. The arch itself echoes Roman grandeur. Do you see that visual reference point here? Editor: Now I see it. Thanks for clarifying this-- it all connects! I’ll look at prints differently from now on! Curator: My pleasure. Visual memory often speaks more powerfully when connected to other narratives, creating a dense web of association across time and place.