Pont du Gard, Paris c. 20th century

Editor: This is Louis Conrad Rosenberg's "Pont du Gard, Paris," a pencil drawing. I'm struck by the artist's delicate touch in capturing this monumental structure. What can you tell me about the process and material choices here? Curator: This sketch directs our focus to the labor and materials involved in the Pont du Gard's construction. Consider the massive stones, quarried and transported using Roman engineering and labor, then compare that to the artist's pencil line. How does Rosenberg’s choice of medium affect our perception of Roman power and engineering? Editor: It emphasizes the human effort involved in both, the ancient construction and the modern interpretation. Curator: Precisely. It collapses the distinction between high art and the material realities of labor and consumption. We are reminded of the social context in which both the aqueduct and the drawing were created. Editor: I see now how Rosenberg’s drawing reveals the interconnectedness of art, labor, and history. Thanks.