The Arch of Drusus 1925

Editor: This is Giorgio Wenter Marini's "The Arch of Drusus," a woodcut at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels so stark, all black and white. What statements might the artist be making by depicting these ancient ruins this way? Curator: I see a deliberate choice to highlight the enduring presence of historical power structures amidst decay. Consider how the artist uses the stark contrast to emphasize the oppressive weight of history, and perhaps critiques the romanticism of ruins by stripping away any sentimentality. What do you think the artist is saying about the intersection between history, memory, and the present? Editor: I hadn't considered that. So it is less about admiring the past, and more about questioning its continued influence? Thank you, this has helped to reframe my understanding. Curator: Exactly, and remember, art often invites more questions than it answers.