The Ripetta, Rome before 1877

This photograph captures the Ripetta in Rome, immortalizing a bustling scene. Dominating the composition are the tiered buildings, symbols of urban life and communal existence, deeply rooted in Roman history. The image evokes the 'genius loci', the protective spirit of a place, which is seen in other art forms, like classical landscape paintings, where nature embodies the divine presence. Think of the architectural symmetry that echoes the Renaissance's obsession with order and balance, also present in Raphael’s paintings. Here, the artist captures the geometry of urban planning. We see traces of the “memento mori”, a reminder of mortality, in the temporal depiction of everyday life. Though less explicit than a skull, the fleeting moment caught by the camera invites reflection on time's passage. It invites us to connect with the universal emotions that bind us. This image acts as a mirror, reflecting our own complex relationship with the past.