Remains of the Cloaca Maxima c. 19th century

Curator: This etching by Bartolomeo Pinelli captures a romanticized view of the Remains of the Cloaca Maxima. Editor: It’s funny, the name sounds so grand, but the image feels melancholy, almost like a forgotten corner of a dream. Curator: Pinelli often depicted Rome's ancient ruins, emphasizing their monumental scale to evoke the grandeur of the past and reflect on the city’s urban evolution. Editor: You know, that overgrown archway feels like nature is slowly reclaiming what was once meticulously built, like a secret slowly being buried again. Curator: Indeed, the work encourages us to consider how infrastructure projects reflect a society's values and priorities, and how they eventually succumb to time. Editor: It’s more than just a sewer; it's like a visual metaphor for the impermanence of everything we create. It gives me a strange sense of peace actually! Curator: Well, I see it as a poignant reminder of Rome’s enduring legacy, even in decay. Editor: Yeah, legacy in decay, beautiful and heavy at the same time. I like that.