New St. Peter’s under Construction 1561

Curator: This is Hieronymus Cock’s print, “New St. Peter’s under Construction.” Look at this impressive architectural undertaking, captured in ink on a plate measuring about 9 1/2 by 13 1/4 inches. Editor: It looks like a ruin already! Like something unearthed rather than built. The scale is impressive, but there’s a mournful quality. Curator: That's the beauty of Cock's perspective. While showcasing the grandeur of the project, he hints at the human cost. Notice the tiny figures scurrying about, almost ant-like, against this monumental backdrop. What are they building, and for whom? Editor: Exactly! It begs the question of labor, power, and the Church’s ambition. This print isn't just about architecture; it's a commentary on the social fabric being woven, or perhaps strained, by this construction. Curator: It's a fascinating blend of reverence and critique, isn't it? The unfinished state allows us to contemplate not just what will be, but what is being sacrificed to create it. Editor: The perspective shifts my focus from the promise of completion to the present implications of what's being built. It's a potent reminder that progress always comes at a price, doesn't it?