Forum boarium, Romae c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have Hendrick van Cleve III's "Forum boarium, Romae," a fascinating print. It has a slightly melancholic mood, like a memory of a grand past. What's your take on this bird's-eye view? Curator: It feels like peering through time, doesn’t it? I get this curious sense of scale: so much detail, yet the city feels almost miniature, like a stage set. Look at those clouds—they have a drama all their own. The artist captured the enduring presence of the old world amidst the everyday. It’s romantic, don’t you think? Editor: I do. It makes me think about how much history those stones have witnessed. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Made me think too!