Military Column in the Roman Forum 1641

Curator: Let's turn our attention to Giacomo Lauro's "Military Column in the Roman Forum", a print housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the parade of figures surrounding the column. They look like they're stepping out of a history book, or maybe a very elaborate costume party! Curator: Indeed. Lauro meticulously renders each figure with distinct attributes, inviting us to consider their individual significance within the composition. Note the column itself, densely inscribed, acting as a structural and conceptual anchor. Editor: It's like the column is holding up time itself! The details in each character's attire, from the feathered headdresses to the ornate robes, suggest a real investment in historical accuracy. And the text beneath, though indecipherable to most of us now, adds to the sense of scholarly depth. Curator: Precisely. The materiality of the print, the lines etched into the plate, contribute to a sense of historical distance, reminding us of the layered processes of representation. Editor: I love that. It is a window into a past, filtered through Lauro's perspective. It makes you wonder, what stories do these figures carry, and what secrets does the column hold? Curator: Ultimately, Lauro's work invites a sustained engagement with form, history, and the very act of seeing. Editor: Well, I am grateful for the introduction—I think I'll carry their stories with me.