The Castle of St Angelo, Rome 1752 - 1756

Editor: Richard Wilson's sketch of "The Castle of St Angelo, Rome" presents this imposing structure so gently, almost dreamlike. What do you see in this piece, considering its historical weight? Curator: The Castle, initially Hadrian's tomb, then a papal fortress, becomes a vessel of shifting power. Notice how Wilson uses delicate lines – a visual echo of time's passage and the layering of histories. Does the sketch evoke for you a sense of memory, perhaps even loss? Editor: Yes, definitely. The lightness of the sketch makes it feel more like a memory than a solid place. Curator: Exactly! It speaks to how we, as viewers, continuously re-interpret and imbue such iconic structures with our own cultural baggage. Editor: That's a perspective shift for me, thinking about how my own background shapes what I see. Curator: Indeed, the image becomes a mirror reflecting our own historical consciousness.