Flowering of wiccans at the Roman forum 1920

Curator: Enrico Nardi's pastel artwork, dating from 1920, invites us into what the artist has titled "Flowering of wiccans at the Roman forum". Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the impressionistic brushstrokes. The pastel hues create such a hazy, dreamy atmosphere; the wispy lines and blocks give it a great sense of serenity, almost as if the colours and forms are still materializing. Curator: It is fascinating how Nardi uses Impressionism within a Romantic landscape setting. The piece places a flowering grove at the famous Roman Forum, a nexus of ancient Roman society, and seemingly overlays it with this scene which, at face value, does not immediately fit within a Roman frame. It feels like Nardi's attempt to recontextualise space to imagine counter-histories and pagan-leaning interpretations. Editor: It is certainly an enchanting contrast. What dominates for me are those cascades of floral blues that frame the composition so beautifully. The eye is guided down the hazy shaded pathway but keeps hitting these stunning blooms and trees that burst forth. Technically, I find myself interested in the almost total obscuring of form using colours. The lines between impressionism and even something bordering on total abstraction feel blurry, especially when considering that the artwork is plein-air, done on site rather than within the constraints of a studio. Curator: That intersection of ancient ruins with blossoming plantlife, depicted in such a light, modern style, speaks to Nardi’s fascination with layering history, spirituality and modernity, presenting the Forum as a site of potential rebirth. It may hint to broader anxieties in the Post-War era of destruction. Editor: Absolutely. And despite the historical weight and possible readings of doom, the work still achieves an ethereal, almost weightless quality. I particularly love how the shadows on the path suggest depth without solidifying the space; Nardi lets our imagination complete the picture. Curator: Well, considering Nardi’s artistic journey and the period, this artwork perhaps encapsulates the zeitgeist. The choice to depict the forum in this unique, optimistic fashion marks a moment where art reimagines public spaces into private reflections, an enchanting and transformative piece. Editor: For me, that combination of structured space and dream-like hues makes this image very captivating.