Pompeii_ Detail of the Impluvium in the house of Cornelius Rufus, No. 5040 c. 1870 - 1880

Editor: This albumen print by Giacomo Brogi, taken sometime between 1870 and 1880, captures a detail of the impluvium in the House of Cornelius Rufus in Pompeii. What immediately strikes me is the contrast between the elaborate ornamentation of the fountain and the ruinous state of its surroundings. How do you read the image? Curator: What draws my eye, first and foremost, are the repeated motifs: the lion-like figures and stylized foliage, markers of power and abundance. Notice how they flank each side of the impluvium, acting almost as guardians. Consider, too, how water, life-giving and purifying, would have flowed through this space. In what ways might the symbols of guardianship and purity been vital to the identity of the House of Rufus? Editor: That’s a fascinating point. It makes me think about the idea of preservation, not just of water, but of legacy, given that it's part of their residence. Curator: Precisely. This image encapsulates more than just architectural detail. It evokes a cultural memory. The house's inhabitants sought to convey wealth and status. But what remains, captured by Brogi’s lens, also speaks to the transient nature of those aspirations. Editor: So, Brogi's photograph does more than just document a ruin; it provides insights into a vanished society's values and self-representation through these recurring symbols. What do you make of the sculpture in the background, looming over the ruin? Curator: Ah, excellent point. Figures placed in the background of historical photographs, like that bust, frequently symbolize ideals and the continuation of traditions, almost daring viewers to imagine who lived within these walls. In many respects it tells us that in order to really 'see' history, we need to actively consider all the different layers embedded in these images. Editor: Thank you! I hadn't thought of all the cultural context held in each symbol and the overall composition of the photograph itself. It provides so much food for thought. Curator: My pleasure! Hopefully others will look for traces of stories wherever they look.