Donation of Rome c. 18th century

Editor: This is Francesco Faraone Aquila's "Donation of Rome," an engraving depicting a pivotal moment in history. It feels theatrical, almost staged. What historical power dynamics do you see at play here? Curator: This print visualizes the contested Donation of Constantine, a forged Roman imperial decree by which the 4th-century emperor Constantine the Great supposedly transferred authority over Rome and the western part of the Roman Empire to the Pope. How does seeing it visualized impact your understanding of power and legitimacy? Editor: I see it as a narrative, but also as a visual argument. It makes me question whose perspective is being represented. Curator: Precisely! It invites us to consider the motives of those who commissioned and circulated images like these, and what social commentaries they were amplifying in that day. Editor: That context really shifts how I see it, from a historical scene to a form of political statement. Curator: Exactly! It is amazing how art and history can speak truth to power.