On Sunday, March 16, 2026, Professor Jens Koehler of The American University of Rome’s Archaeology and Classics Program delivered the opening lecture for a major exhibition at the Kunsthalle Bremen, dedicated to the 19th-century painter Friedrich Nerly.
Titled Aqua Claudia – Neue Archäologische Forschungen und Nerlys Gemälde (“Aqua Claudia – New Archaeological Research and Nerly’s Painting”), the lecture explored the ancient Roman context behind one of Nerly’s central subjects: the Aqua Claudia aqueduct. Professor Koehler, who also contributed to the exhibition catalog, provided an overview of Roman hydraulic engineering, construction techniques, and the historical significance of the aqueduct, completed in AD 52.
Drawing connections between archaeology and art, the lecture examined Nerly’s 1836 painting of the Aqua Claudia, highlighting its notable architectural accuracy alongside the artist’s compositional interpretation.
The event filled the Kunsthalle’s 180-seat conference hall and prompted an engaged discussion, with questions ranging from Roman construction methods to the relationship between historical evidence and artistic representation.
The exhibition remains open through July 5, 2026, accompanied by a richly illustrated catalog featuring contributions from international scholars, including Professor Koehler.
Professor Koehler’s participation reflects AUR’s continued engagement with international cultural institutions, extending the study of Rome beyond the classroom and into global scholarly and artistic dialogue.