The Walls of Rome 

Editor: This is Francis Towne's "The Walls of Rome." The watercolor feels so serene. What historical narratives do you think it might be engaging with? Curator: I'm drawn to the ways Towne contrasts the imposing ancient architecture with the figures of ordinary people. It almost suggests the tension between the weight of history and the everyday lives lived within its shadow. How does that strike you? Editor: That makes me think about who gets to be remembered by history, and who is forgotten. Thanks! Curator: Exactly. Art like this reminds us to consider whose stories are prioritized, and whose are left untold.