The Circus of Nero 1641

Curator: This is Giacomo Lauro’s print, "The Circus of Nero," currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts the site of Nero's circus in the Vatican. Editor: It strikes me as very ordered, almost regimented, yet there's a dynamic energy conveyed through the racing horses within that rigid structure. Curator: Indeed, the circus itself is heavy with symbolic weight. The obelisk, for instance, stood as a silent witness to both the games and the martyrdom of early Christians. Editor: The composition clearly emphasizes the architectural layout, highlighting the formal elements. Note the sharp lines and the meticulous detail given to the colonnades and buildings. Curator: The space evokes not just spectacle but also profound suffering. The Circus became a site of Christian persecution under Nero. Editor: It is a very compelling composition. I wonder about the intended audience and reception of the work. Curator: Considering the historical context and the layered meanings embedded within the image, I find Lauro's representation to be really powerful. Editor: The print offers a cooly detached presentation, a compelling contrast to the brutal events associated with the space it depicts.