Macellum van Pozzuoli 1865

Roberto Rive's photograph captures the Macellum of Pozzuoli, where sturdy columns rise amid the ruins of an ancient marketplace. These columns, stark against the Italian sky, echo a classical motif found throughout history—from the temples of Greece to the colonnades of Rome. The column is a symbol of strength, support, and civilization. We see these same forms reappear in Renaissance architecture and even in modern skyscrapers. The fragmented state of the Macellum speaks to the cyclical nature of history, a constant process of decay and rebirth. This photograph reminds us that the symbols of the past are never truly lost; they resurface, evolve, and are imbued with new meanings as civilizations rise and fall. The emotional weight carried by these forms engages viewers on a subconscious level.