View of the Tiber c. 18th century

Editor: This is François Nicolas Barthélemy Dequevauviller's "View of the Tiber," a print from the late 18th century. It gives me a sense of serenity, like a peaceful memory. What do you see in this piece, beyond the obvious landscape? Curator: Oh, it's more than just a pretty postcard, isn’t it? I see a carefully constructed scene, a bit theatrical, almost. It’s less about capturing the Tiber exactly and more about evoking a certain idealized pastoral feeling, like a stage set for a classical play. What do you think? Editor: I get that! It feels a bit staged, now that you mention it. Like, perfectly arranged for our viewing pleasure. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: Absolutely! It makes you wonder what’s real and what’s purely imagined, doesn't it? That's the real magic trick here.