A Triumphal Procession in Ancient Rome c. 1780

Gaetano Gandolfi created this ink drawing titled "A Triumphal Procession in Ancient Rome" in the late 18th century. Gandolfi, living in a time of shifting political power, looked back to the Roman Empire and its imagery of military strength and imperial glory. But this wasn’t just a neutral historical scene. Think about it: who gets to be the hero in these stories? Gandolfi’s Rome is populated by idealized figures, likely excluding the voices and experiences of women, enslaved people, and those from conquered territories. The triumphal procession was a carefully staged event, designed to reinforce the power of the ruling elite and the state. What does it mean to depict such a scene, knowing its inherent inequalities? The emotional impact of this drawing lies in its ability to transport us to another time, while simultaneously inviting us to question the narratives it presents. Gandolfi doesn't offer a straightforward glorification of power; instead, he hints at the complex social dynamics and the human cost of imperial ambition.