Rome, Castle of St. Angela c. 19th century

Curator: The ethereal vision before us is titled "Rome, Castle of St. Angela" by Robert Wallis. There's no date assigned to this artwork, but it's currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is how delicate it appears, almost like a faded memory. It’s so small and central on such a large, almost blindingly-white background. Curator: That's an interesting observation! There is a stark contrast. Rome, of course, was a center of power, especially papal power. You've got the Castel Sant'Angelo, once Hadrian's mausoleum, and the Vatican peeking in the distance. Editor: It's all so faded and distant. The boat in the foreground seems to emphasize the fleeting, temporal nature of everything, even power and history. It’s like a dream vanishing upon waking. Curator: I can see that. The choice to render it so delicately definitely changes how we receive these architectural icons. It really opens a space for reflection on the city and the weight of its past. Editor: Exactly. It makes you wonder about the politics of remembering and how history is constantly being reshaped.