The Pyramid of Cestus (Mons Testaceus) c. 16th century

Editor: This is "The Pyramid of Cestus (Mons Testaceus)" by Hendrick van Cleve III. It’s hard to pin down the exact date, but the artist lived in the 16th century. It’s a detailed print, and it strikes me as a celebration of spectacle. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This image reflects the 16th-century fascination with Rome and its history. Van Cleve is depicting the Mons Testaceus, an artificial mound made of discarded Roman pottery. The festivities depicted are not ancient, however, but a contemporary spectacle. How does this blend of ancient site and modern event influence your reading? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. It is like overlaying present-day activities on an ancient landscape. The pyramid is the ancient form, and the horse race is the current event that makes it "alive." So it is an interesting interplay of the two. Curator: Precisely! It shows how the past was re-imagined and re-used for the political and social needs of the present. This print becomes a document of cultural adaptation.