Reliëf De Triomf van Marcus Aurelius in de Capitolijnse Musea te Rome, Italië 1852 - 1900

Curator: Here we have a photographic print made sometime between 1852 and 1900 by Fratelli Alinari, showcasing a relief entitled "The Triumph of Marcus Aurelius," located in the Capitoline Museums in Rome. Editor: It strikes me as quite austere, almost spectral, capturing this powerful moment in stone. The detail is fascinating; I can almost hear the rumble of the chariot. Curator: Indeed. Alinari’s photograph does well to emphasize the textures and layers of the original relief, and also emphasizes the labor needed to create such objects—we cannot forget the number of craftsmen involved. It’s fascinating how photography allowed broader access to classical art like this. Editor: Absolutely! It brings that Roman gravitas to the everyday viewer. Though, I feel a certain melancholic detachment. Perhaps it's the sepia tone? It's like glimpsing a memory, a victory forever encased in this faded hue. Do you think that romantic filter changes the piece too much? Curator: I see your point, and while the process and medium of photography alters the perception of the relief itself, it democratizes it and opens up conversations of the grander Roman triumphs of power for the everyday man. It also raises interesting questions about ownership, how do we interact and interpret works from long ago through photography in contrast with being in-person at the museum? Editor: Precisely, these copies have become historical objects in themselves. For me it shows how we reshape our cultural dialogue with the past to resonate with current times. Thank you, It’s certainly given me new eyes to see this moment of ancient glory. Curator: Thank you as well, its made me consider our perception of ownership over artifacts.