Saltarello Romano 1815

Editor: Here we have Bartolomeo Pinelli’s “Saltarello Romano,” created in 1815 using watercolor and print techniques. I’m really drawn to how he captures a snapshot of daily life. What can you tell us about how this artwork fits into the context of its time? Curator: This print offers a fascinating glimpse into the romanticized view of Roman folk culture that was popular during the early 19th century. Pinelli produced numerous images depicting the life of everyday Romans, often drawing upon the visual tropes of the picturesque. The 'Saltarello' was a lively folk dance, and depictions of it like this one became quite fashionable as Europeans increasingly looked to the Italian countryside for authenticity and escape from industrialization. Notice how Pinelli places the dancers amidst ancient ruins. Editor: Yes, I see that backdrop of ancient ruins! Were these types of scenes common then? Curator: Absolutely. Images of the Campagna Romana and its inhabitants helped to construct a specific cultural identity for Rome and its people. The art market, fueled by wealthy tourists on the Grand Tour, played a crucial role in shaping this imagery. It catered to desires for both the classical past and the ‘untouched’ rural present. The light colors emphasize a feeling of nostalgia. Consider also the position of the musician playing for a seated couple. How is he othering himself from them? Editor: I hadn't thought of it like that, but his gaze separates him, which tells me the artist has other motives in the scene than just the dance. It sounds like this wasn’t just an artistic choice, but a reflection of how Rome was being perceived and sold to outsiders. That really shifts how I see it now. Curator: Precisely! It makes you question what he, Pinelli, and those outside Rome stood to gain from how it was presented to others.