The Naumachia of Domitian 1641

Editor: Here we have Giacomo Lauro's "The Naumachia of Domitian," currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts a naval battle in an arena, seemingly made of…engraving? The detail is astounding! What stories do you think this print tells? Curator: It speaks volumes about the Roman Empire's power. Consider the labor involved: quarrying stone, constructing the arena, engineering the water system. This wasn't just entertainment; it was a display of logistical and material dominance. Editor: So, it's less about the artistic skill and more about... the means to create it? Curator: Precisely! The print itself acts as a record but also as a commodity, circulating images of Roman power and consumption. What does the print’s existence say about the value placed on commemorating such spectacles? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn’t considered the print as a part of the whole production. Curator: Indeed. By examining the materials and the process, we uncover the intricate relationship between art, labor, and empire.