The Lighthouse at Alexandria c. 16th century

Editor: This is Antonio Tempesta's "The Lighthouse at Alexandria." It's an engraving, so there is an archaic and story-telling mood. What strikes you most when you look at this piece? Curator: The lighthouse dominates, yes, but consider how Tempesta depicts it with smoke. Smoke and towers are age-old symbols of power, but here, the smoke perhaps hints at fragility or the fleeting nature of empires. Do you notice anything else symbolic? Editor: I see the camels, maybe representing trade routes and cultural exchange. Curator: Exactly! And the boats, the figures pointing... it's a world in transition. The symbols speak of legacy and of the shifting sands of time. Fascinating!