Baccanale di Romi in Testaccio c. 19th century

Curator: This is "Baccanale di Romi in Testaccio" by Bartolomeo Pinelli. The artist created this etching in 1815. It currently resides in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as an informal scene, almost theatrical in its arrangement. A group of people gathered al fresco, perhaps enjoying a meal and music. The details are quite intricate! Curator: Pinelli often depicted Roman life, especially that of the working class. Here, the setting in Testaccio suggests a festive gathering, likely involving food and drink produced and consumed locally. Editor: Exactly. The materiality of the setting—the rough table, the simple garments—speaks to a lifestyle grounded in the resources at hand. This isn't about high society, but the laboring class at leisure. Curator: The composition itself plays a role. The figures are arranged to engage with one another, but also with the viewer. It invites the viewer to consider the social dynamics inherent in these gatherings. Editor: I find myself thinking about the role of such imagery in shaping perceptions of Roman identity, how Pinelli's work contributed to an understanding—or perhaps a romanticizing—of local traditions and social structures. Curator: Precisely, it’s a complex interplay between representation, social class, and the creation of cultural narratives within a specific historical framework. Editor: Indeed, looking closer reveals a snapshot into the lived experiences and the very fabric of Roman society during this era.