Ripa Grande a Roma 

Editor: This is William Marlow’s "Ripa Grande a Roma," a pencil drawing. It feels like a fleeting glimpse of 18th-century Rome. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Marlow, like many British artists, traveled to Italy as part of the Grand Tour. This sketch captures a specific locale, but it also speaks to the broader cultural phenomenon of British engagement with classical and Renaissance heritage. How might this image have functioned for its intended audience back home? Editor: Perhaps as a souvenir, a reminder of their travels or aspirations? Curator: Exactly. And consider the artistic license Marlow might be taking. How does this idealized view shape perceptions of Rome and its history? Editor: I hadn't considered the potential for idealization. It makes me wonder about the politics of representation in these travel sketches. Curator: Precisely. It’s a reminder that even seemingly objective depictions are products of their time and the social position of the artist. Editor: That gives me a whole new perspective! Thanks.