Forum of Nerva, entablature, elevation; cornice, elevation (recto) Forum of Nerva, architrave panel, ceiling plan, Corinthian, capital (verso) 1500 - 1560

Editor: This ink drawing on paper, dating back to 1500-1560, depicts architectural details of the Forum of Nerva. I find the precise lines and intricate ornamentation really striking. How do you interpret this work, given its historical context? Curator: It’s a fantastic example of Renaissance architectural study. This drawing, likely made by an anonymous artist, allows us to think about the Renaissance obsession with classical forms. The Forum of Nerva, as a site, becomes a powerful symbol of imperial Rome, and thus of power itself. How does appropriating those symbols influence identity construction and negotiation in 16th century Italy? Editor: That's a great question. So, copying these architectural features was a way to claim a link to Roman authority? Curator: Exactly! And beyond authority, we can ask about who gets to participate in the creation and ownership of culture. Architectural drawings like this weren’t just technical exercises. They served as tools for defining elite culture, reinforcing societal hierarchies, and shaping ideas about what constituted ‘good’ taste. What does it mean for artists now? Editor: Interesting. It really shows how architecture is not just about building, but about communicating power dynamics. Curator: Precisely. Thinking about how built structures perpetuate or challenge these inherited dynamics is vital. I hope it gives our audience tools to ask whose history is etched into the physical spaces around them and who gets to participate in shaping the environment that surrounds us. Editor: Definitely. I'll never look at an old building the same way again! Thanks.