Temple of Juno Regina, now Church of S. Angelo in Pescheria 1741 - 1748

Editor: This is Giovanni Battista Piranesi's "Temple of Juno Regina, now Church of S. Angelo in Pescheria," an engraving from between 1741 and 1748. There’s a melancholy feel to it, seeing these grand ruins overtaken by…well, everything. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a potent commentary on power, time, and the ways societies repurpose history to serve their present needs. This print isn't just a picturesque depiction of ruins; it’s an interrogation of the very narratives we construct around civilization and decay. Consider how Piranesi, through his dramatic use of light and shadow, emphasizes the co-existence of the ancient temple dedicated to Juno Regina and the superimposed presence of a church. What does it mean when a sacred space dedicated to a powerful Roman goddess is literally consumed and replaced by a new religious structure? Editor: I hadn't thought about it like that. So, it's not just a depiction, but more of a…critique? Curator: Precisely. Piranesi asks us to confront the layers of power embedded within the landscape. He uses architecture to reveal how dominant ideologies write themselves onto the world. And more so, challenges us to consider how these imposed narratives impact marginalized groups or displaced belief systems, and the social repercussions of cultural shifts. Can you imagine what communities once centered on the worship of Juno thought about this visual erasure of their history? Editor: It's thought-provoking. Seeing it as a study of repurposed space and imposed power dynamics changes the way I understand the print completely. Thank you. Curator: And thank you. Considering art through the lens of intersectionality always brings a richer understanding, for all involved.