Puteoli c. 16th century

Curator: Hendrick van Cleve III created this engraving of Puteoli. Editor: It has such a stark and dramatic feel! The mountains loom over the bay, and the details are incredible. Curator: Van Cleve, active in the 16th century, likely aimed to represent the city’s strategic coastal importance and classical heritage. The ruins point towards a bygone era. Editor: I see that, but the enduring power of the landscape is what captivates me most. What did the concept of landscape even mean to the people then? Curator: That's precisely the question worth interrogating. Editor: It makes you wonder about our relationship with place and history.