St. Prassede, Rome 1922

This is Louis Conrad Rosenberg's etching, "St. Prassede, Rome", created in 1932. The scene is structured by the dark archway in the centre, its shadowy recess contrasting with the lighter tones of the buildings either side. The heavy lines delineate the architectural details, the depth of shadow, and the figures gathered in the foreground. The composition is bisected; the formal, classical lines of the arch and facade against the slightly more informal depictions of the street. Rosenberg seems to be interested in the contrasts between the timeless architecture and the transient lives of the figures inhabiting the space. This is a visual game of inside versus outside, permanence versus impermanence. Look again at the lines forming the arch. These lines not only define the shape but also evoke a sense of weight. This is a place burdened with history, yet animated by the daily lives of the people passing through it. These dualities make the artwork so compelling.