Plate 26: Temple of Clitumnus between Foligno and Spoleto . . . (Tempio di Clitumno tra Fuligno e Spoletti . . .) 1743 - 1753

Editor: Here we have Piranesi's etching from between 1743 and 1753, "Temple of Clitumnus between Foligno and Spoleto." The scene seems like a picturesque ruin, overgrown and serene. What story do you think Piranesi is trying to tell here? Curator: A bittersweet one, I think. Piranesi was obsessed with the grandeur of Rome and its surroundings. But notice how nature reclaims this temple? It’s more than just decay. Look closely at the deliberate rendering of the vegetation, pushing against the formal geometry. He’s using romantic ruin as a lens through which to examine the temporal and ephemeral nature of all things. It’s not *just* picturesque, it is emotionally charged, wouldn't you agree? Does the foliage speak to you at all? Editor: I hadn’t thought about it that way, but I see what you mean about the tension between nature and the structure. And, yes, the vines soften the harshness of the stone. It gives a poignant mood. Curator: Exactly! There’s a dialogue between past glory and present reality. It's like a stage where Time itself is the leading actor. It even seems like there are characters amidst this landscape that might speak to this passage of time. Does seeing it like this give you a fresh view of the artwork? Editor: Absolutely. I went straight to "pretty picture", but now I’m contemplating something deeper about time and memory. Curator: Good. I find Piranesi speaks to this eternal quality in the cyclical relationship between human endeavor and mother nature. What better way to leave a timeless message!