Scènes romaines 1811

Bartolomeo Penelli created this textile piece, 'Scènes romaines', sometime between 1750 and 1850. The entire scene is rendered in a monochromatic reddish-brown ink on a light background. The textile's shape is unique, almost fan-like. The composition is striking; Penelli presents us with a theatrical scene complete with draped curtains at the top. Below, figures populate a landscape with classical ruins. Note the contrast between the static architecture and the lively figures dancing and making music. The material itself—a printed textile—adds another layer. Textiles were integral to the everyday lives of people. By depicting this scene on cloth, Penelli intertwines art with daily existence, prompting a viewer to reflect on the intersection between the classical world, performance and the domestic sphere. In its own way, the artwork challenges fixed notions of high and low art. It invites ongoing interpretation.