Piazza del Popolo – Rome 1988

Curator: Look at this piece, "Piazza del Popolo – Rome," created by LeRoy Neiman in 1988. Editor: It’s a sensory overload! So many people, that dome… it feels frantic, like a snapshot of pure urban energy. The way he uses color—is that screen printing perhaps?—it feels incredibly immediate, almost like street art. Curator: Neiman was well known for his energetic depictions of sporting events and social scenes. He definitely blurred lines between fine art and popular culture, very purposefully creating art for the masses through reproductions and media appearances. I wonder if it’s important that we examine who consumes artwork of this type versus another classically landscape painting? Editor: Absolutely! And let's not forget Piazza del Popolo itself. For centuries, it's been a stage for public life in Rome: executions, festivals, protests... Neiman captures that inherent drama. This isn't just a pretty view; it’s a social space charged with historical weight. He uses expressive brushwork to portray this chaotic scene; this is really a political statement about the nature of public assembly and the working and middle classes of Italian society, captured by Neiman's distinctive mark-making style. Curator: I'm intrigued by your take. I do notice the layering, but I suppose I had taken that as impressionistic. The application of color – notice how it describes figures and forms rather economically– it gives us insight into printing and production processes. It’s as though Neiman revels in revealing the mechanisms that translate the physical to image, art object to product. Editor: Indeed. We can certainly look into what his intentions are here in terms of art's public accessibility. Neiman seems intent on rendering this classical landmark within a recognizably reproducible vernacular. It makes me think about what ‘authentic’ experiences become when mass culture and commodification are accounted for. Curator: Interesting. So for you, it’s about democratization. Editor: Partially, but I think it raises the stakes about the role of imagery and iconography too, right? It presents so much of social reality in one place, to see it digested as this work would have been is fascinating to think through! Curator: Seeing how Neiman brought his bold style to such a historic landmark definitely pushes you to rethink how you approach its place in history, doesn't it? Editor: Totally, considering the role it plays, and what Neiman ultimately delivers by capturing it. Food for thought, for sure!