View of the ancient aquaduct and fountains situated near the Chiavica del Bufalo in Rome 1822

Editor: This is Luigi Rossini’s 1822 etching, "View of the ancient aquaduct and fountains situated near the Chiavica del Bufalo in Rome," now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The textures are incredible—the rough stonework, the cascading water, even the delicate foliage. But the scale… it feels almost oppressive. What do you make of it? Curator: Oppressive, yes, but also powerfully romantic! Think about what Rome represented then—a crumbling empire, a past glory clinging to life. Rossini isn’t just depicting a cityscape; he's showing us layers of history. The aqueduct, still functioning, dominates the scene. Little figures scurry at its base, dwarfed by its mass. Do you notice the inscriptions carved into the stone? Editor: Vaguely... there's definitely a lot of writing, though I can't quite read what it says. Curator: Exactly. These are fragments of dedicatory inscriptions, testaments to emperors who maintained and rebuilt the aqueduct. Rossini wants you to think about time and the weight of history. The fountains are almost like tears weeping from a grand monument, life continuing from something so, so old. The realism underscores a timeless beauty, a sense of continuity. Editor: So, it's not just a pretty picture of old stuff. It's more about...meditating on the past. Curator: Precisely! And, in a way, it’s a celebration of human ingenuity; water still flows because someone built this incredible structure. It connects us to these ancient Romans across time. Isn't it a thought-provoking work? Editor: Definitely. It’s made me see Rome in a whole new light! Curator: Wonderful. Now, I am beginning to see Rome in new lights too!