CUT-OUT

 

One of the unusually good things about the Roman Art In the Time of Trajan show at the St. Louis Art Museum was the design of the galleries. It's usually not something you notice.                    

ANCIENT SPLENDOR

 

The St. Louis Art Museum recently ended a show called Ancient Splendor - Roman Art In The Time of Trajan. Mrs. C and I made it just in time. It was beautifully displayed, and the degree of elegance and craft was striking.                     

ST. LOU FRINGE - VESTALS

Vestals is a new play by Susie Lawrence based on the ancient Roman order of the Vestal Virgins. I won't explain the details of the order here; click the link to learn more. Six women were held in very high regard and were, in a sense, seen as preservers of the Roman state. The setting is late the 4th Century CE, when the Senate acted to cut their budget. In 382, the Christian emperor Gratian confiscated their revenues and the order disappeared shortly thereafter.

The play involves complex themes of duty, piety, male-female conflict, treachery, desire and revenge. A lot to pack into an hour.