Theatre c. 20th century

Editor: So, here we have Massimo Campigli's "Theatre". It's undated, but the lithographic style gives it a timeless feel. It looks like it's depicting a scene in an ancient Roman theatre, maybe? What do you see in this piece, from your perspective? Curator: I see a reflection on the act of spectatorship itself. Campigli presents a society observing, a theatre *within* a theatre. This piece makes me think about how public spaces like museums and theatres define and control cultural narratives. Editor: Control? Could you explain that a bit more? Curator: Well, consider who gets to be represented, whose stories are told on that stage, and who occupies the seats. The composition here, with its repetitive figures, almost suggests a rigid social hierarchy. Editor: That's a great point about the repetitive figures reinforcing social roles. I never looked at it that way! Curator: Campigli encourages us to consider the theatre not just as a place of entertainment but as a microcosm of society, reflecting and reinforcing existing power structures.