Baths of Antoninus 1641

Curator: Here we have Giacomo Lauro’s engraving, "Baths of Antoninus," held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. It depicts an aerial view of the ancient Roman baths. Editor: The etching's stark lines and organized architectural layout give it a feeling of monumental order but also a kind of emptiness. Curator: Absolutely. Public baths in Roman society weren't just about hygiene; they were vital social and political spaces, accessible across class lines to reinforce social bonds. Editor: Yes, and Lauro's precise lines emphasize the formal, almost ritualistic nature of these spaces, but what about the symbols? Is there any sign of the gods, the Emperors? Curator: The statues, like the one atop the column, are Roman figures representing power and authority, but the baths themselves were a powerful symbol of Roman engineering prowess and social cohesion. Editor: I see. It’s a space for bodies but also a symbolic projection of empire. Curator: Precisely. And Lauro’s etching helps us appreciate the lasting impact of Roman social structures. Editor: Indeed. The Baths of Antoninus: more than just a place to bathe; it was a stage for Roman life.