Fresco of the Vatican Loggia c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Conte Carlo Lasinio's "Fresco of the Vatican Loggia" from the Harvard Art Museums. It's incredibly ornate and symmetrical. What's your take on it? Curator: It's fascinating how Lasinio documented these frescoes. Think about the Vatican as a site of immense power. How do these decorative choices reinforce and project that power? Editor: So, you're saying that the ornamentation isn't just aesthetic, but also political? Curator: Precisely. The choice of classical motifs, the meticulous detail—it all contributes to a visual language of authority. And who is permitted to create and occupy the space? Editor: That makes me think about access and privilege, and who gets to participate in these cultural spaces. Curator: Exactly. It's not merely about decoration; it's about the social and political implications embedded within the artwork itself. Editor: I'll definitely look at such artworks from a different perspective moving forward.