Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Arch of Septimius Severus 1583

Editor: Here we have "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Arch of Septimius Severus," a drawing and print, probably an engraving, made in 1583. It's quite impressive in its architectural detail. What strikes me most is how the artist captured the monumentality of the arch with such precise lines. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The emphasis is quite rightly placed upon the graphic quality of line as a descriptive, almost analytical, tool. Note how the receding orthogonal lines, especially in the pavement, give the image depth. Observe how the architectural details - the capitals, the friezes, even the texture implied in the clouds – are meticulously rendered with hatch marks and cross-hatching to create variations in tone and density. The artist is concerned with the syntax of form. Editor: So you're saying that the visual language is almost mathematical, very precise? Curator: Precisely. We could apply a semiotic approach here. The arch itself signifies power and imperial Rome. What do the inscriptions contribute to this reading? Consider, too, how the graphic choices: the deliberate and precise lines, might reinforce ideas of order and permanence. Does the use of line direct your gaze, and how does that affect your perception of power? Editor: I see how the consistent linework and attention to detail emphasize stability and grandeur, I didn’t notice the inscriptions doing that! It's a formal study of power through structure and form. Curator: Indeed. Hopefully this allows a fuller appreciation of not just what is depicted, but how it is depicted, giving rise to meaning.