Festival on the Tiber c. 18th century

Editor: This is Pierre Jean Duret’s “Festival on the Tiber.” The sepia tones give it a classical feel. What sociopolitical layers might be present in a scene like this? Curator: The Tiber here acts as a stage, highlighting class divisions. Notice the figures in the upper left – cloistered, watching. How does this perspective affect our understanding of who has access and who is merely an observer? Editor: It seems almost like a performance. Curator: Precisely! The festival becomes a spectacle, one that reinforces existing hierarchies. The lower classes are performing for the enjoyment of the elite. Editor: I see how this depiction reinforces social stratification, not just celebrates a festival. Curator: Exactly, looking at art through this lens gives us a different perspective.