Macellum van Pozzuoli by Roberto Rive

Macellum van Pozzuoli

1865

Roberto Rive's Profile Picture

Roberto Rive

1825 - 1889

Location

Rijksmuseum
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Artwork details

Medium
photography
Dimensions
height 198 mm, width 254 mm, height 210 mm, width 264 mm
Location
Rijksmuseum
Copyright
Rijks Museum: Open Domain

Tags

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landscape

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photography

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ancient-mediterranean

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19th century

About this artwork

Roberto Rive's photograph captures the Macellum of Pozzuoli, where sturdy columns rise amid the ruins of an ancient marketplace. These columns, stark against the Italian sky, echo a classical motif found throughout history—from the temples of Greece to the colonnades of Rome. The column is a symbol of strength, support, and civilization. We see these same forms reappear in Renaissance architecture and even in modern skyscrapers. The fragmented state of the Macellum speaks to the cyclical nature of history, a constant process of decay and rebirth. This photograph reminds us that the symbols of the past are never truly lost; they resurface, evolve, and are imbued with new meanings as civilizations rise and fall. The emotional weight carried by these forms engages viewers on a subconscious level.

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