I'm wondering whether it took the stonemasons of the 1st century BCE less time to carve the frieze on the Basilica Aemilia Massimo than it is taking to locate the Italian department that is going to supply permission to publish a photograph of it. (Yes, there is a Wikimedia Commons image, but not all clients are comfortable with Commons licences). Giving up is not an option. And things are looking more promising now as the fourth beniculturali department to forward my request has just sent a form. Now that's progress. Of a kind. Some things evidently just can't be rushed.
