Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Romulus and Remus Building the Walls of Rome 1530 - 1580

Editor: This print, titled "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Romulus and Remus Building the Walls of Rome", was created sometime between 1530 and 1580 by an anonymous artist. It's currently housed here at the Met. It’s such a dynamic composition; the figures are so active. What strikes you most about the visual structure of this piece? Curator: Note the intricate use of line and form, typical of engravings from this period. Observe the dense cross-hatching, creating areas of shadow and volume. How do the orthogonal lines of the wall interact with the curvature of the figures' bodies? Does this interplay enhance or detract from the overall harmony? Editor: I see what you mean! The stark contrast creates tension, almost a visual push-and-pull. It's quite different from some of the smoother paintings of the time. It looks like chaos and structure clashing on a single plane. Curator: Precisely. Also, consider the surface articulation, which accentuates the figures, endowing the viewer with an unmissable sense of physical labor. Are you inclined to assign meanings based on these stark juxtapositions alone? Editor: Not entirely. But thinking about it structurally, I am starting to see how this creates layers of depth and interest that guide the eye. What does the positioning of the figures imply about their function in the narrative? Curator: The composition forces us to assess the weight that each figure carries in contributing to a coherent visual structure, with the wall standing at its geometrical backbone. By recognizing that form begets function, perhaps we might grasp some deeper meanings held by the artist? Editor: That is insightful. Now I'm noticing how each element really balances out! I have a new appreciation for printmaking as an artform! Curator: I’m glad you perceive it with new eyes! Visual assessment will help any developing connoisseur form unique perspectives on a given artwork.