The Arch of Septimius Severus 1641

Curator: Here, we have Giacomo Lauro’s print of the Arch of Septimius Severus. Consider the materiality. It's not the marble of the Arch itself, but ink on paper, a means of dissemination. What strikes you about that? Editor: I'm interested in the shift of scale, from a monumental arch to a reproducible print. How does that change its function? Curator: Precisely. This print facilitates a kind of mass consumption of Roman imperial power. It moves the Arch from a civic monument to a commodity. We must think about who had access to these prints, and what that says about the intended audience. Editor: So it's not just about celebrating the emperor, but also about control of information and representation? Curator: Exactly. The print participates in the social and economic structures of its time, influencing how power is perceived and distributed through these images. I hadn't considered that point before, thank you. Editor: Thanks to you. Looking at it this way opens up so many new questions.