The Isola Tiberina, formerly the Tempio di Giove Licaonio, now the Island of Saint Bartholomew 1641

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums present this plate by Giacomo Lauro depicting “The Isola Tiberina, formerly the Tempio di Giove Licaonio, now the Island of Saint Bartholomew”. Editor: It's like a dream! I'm struck by how this tiny island has been reimagined as a giant ship, sailing down the Tiber. Is that a temple on deck? Curator: Indeed. This print transforms the island's architecture to resemble a Roman galley. We see the temples of Aesculapius and Jupiter, now churches, rendered as part of the ship's design. Consider the labor of transforming stone into this vision. Editor: The level of detail is incredible, but it's the transformation itself that fascinates me. From pagan temple to Christian island, all sailing on the river of time. Curator: Precisely. Lauro's work reveals the layered histories embedded in Rome's urban fabric, constantly reshaped by social and religious forces. Editor: It makes you wonder about the stories these stones could tell, if only they could speak. Thanks for helping me see the depth here.