Ruins of the Septizonium and the Colosseum c. 16th century

Editor: This is Hieronymus Cock's "Ruins of the Septizonium and the Colosseum." It's a detailed print capturing these ancient structures. I am struck by how these once powerful monuments are presented as decaying ruins. What do you make of this depiction? Curator: It's a fascinating visual statement. Cock's print reflects the 16th-century interest in antiquity, but also a commentary on the transience of power. The ruins become a stage, prompting questions about the cultural significance we assign to these sites across time. Editor: So, it’s less about accuracy and more about the story the ruins tell? Curator: Precisely. Consider how the placement of figures humanizes, even theatricalizes, the scene. It's about the public's evolving relationship with its history. Something to consider. Editor: I never thought about it that way, seeing history as this ongoing conversation.