Bridge over the Tiber (Pons quatuor capitum) c. 16th century

Editor: This is Hendrick van Cleve III's "Bridge over the Tiber," an etching. The arches of the bridge create frames, little windows into different scenes. What can you tell me about the symbols at play here? Curator: Notice how the bridge itself, a symbol of connection, is fractured by the artist's rendering. The image becomes a commentary on the fragmented experience of place and memory. The water nymphs hint at a longing for classical ideals contrasted with the emerging modern city, doesn’t it? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn’t considered the juxtaposition of different eras within the same image. Curator: The clouds, looming and turbulent, might even symbolize impending change or disruption. The artist invites us to ponder Rome's evolving identity and its relationship to the past. Editor: I'll never look at a bridge the same way again! Curator: Indeed. And in these symbols, we see how artists construct meaning.