Substructure of the Palace of Septimus Severus, Palatine 

Editor: This is Edward Lear's watercolor, "Substructure of the Palace of Septimus Severus, Palatine." It's a moody, almost desolate depiction of the ruins. What strikes you most about it? Curator: I see a work deeply rooted in the labor of both the ancient Roman builders and Lear himself. The eroded materials speak to time's relentless consumption, a visible manifestation of power structures decaying into mere substance. Editor: Consumption? I hadn't thought of it that way. Curator: Consider the watercolour itself. Lear's application, the paper's absorbency—they're all part of a process transforming landscape into a commodity for the Victorian art market. This piece isn't just about Roman ruins, it's about the means of seeing and owning them. Editor: That makes me consider the role of watercolors in constructing a traveler's experience. Thank you.