Ruins of the Baths of Diocletian 1641

Curator: Giacomo Lauro's etching, titled "Ruins of the Baths of Diocletian," offers a fascinating glimpse into the transformation of ancient Roman structures. What's your immediate impression? Editor: It feels almost dreamlike. The ruins become part of a stage set, with tiny figures acting out some obscure drama amidst the arches and domes. There's a strange melancholy, like witnessing a lost world. Curator: Indeed. The print showcases the layers of history, the Roman baths repurposed as a Christian site. Lauro's technique emphasizes the physical decay, the repurposing of labor, and the shift in social power. Editor: I see the figures more as actors, participating in the theater of memory. The etching itself becomes a monument, preserving a fragile sense of what was, what is, and what might become. Curator: A compelling perspective. It prompts reflection on how materials are repurposed and how spaces are reimagined. Editor: It’s a reminder that even in ruins, beauty and meaning persist.