Roman Ruins 

Editor: Here we have Jacob More's "Roman Ruins." It’s undated, but currently held at the Tate. The pale washes create a sense of decay. What do you see in this piece, particularly about the materials and the social context they suggest? Curator: This print speaks volumes about the consumption of the past. Note how the artist depicts the ruins not as majestic remnants, but as a source of materials – even fodder for the picturesque. Consider the labor involved in quarrying, transporting, and eventually transforming these stones. Editor: So, it's not just about the visual representation, but about the life cycle of the materials themselves? Curator: Precisely. It prompts us to think about how the ruins have been continuously repurposed and consumed, challenging a romantic view. Editor: I hadn't thought about the ruins as a commodity. It definitely shifts my perspective. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. Understanding the materiality helps us move beyond simple aesthetics.