19th Century, View Of Rome

19th century

View of the Capitol from the Roman Forum

View of the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine

(2) Oil on canvas, 56 x 92 cm

Referring to the tradition of the views from the Grand Tour, the artist of the present couple wants to return a glimpse of the Roman forum during the nineteenth century, when a large part of the archaeological evidence was still buried. In fact, before the excavations, the whole area was known as Campo Vaccino, an area used purely for grazing sheep and cows. Something changed, however, already at the beginning of the nineteenth century, with the French domination in Rome, with which they began to dig to bring to light that treasure that is the historical and archaeological heritage of the City. With the beginning of the '900 begins the true era of archaeological excavations in the forum with figures such as Ridolfo Lanciani (pioneer of Roman archaeology) and Giacomo Boni, great and brilliant archaeologist who dedicated practically all his life to the Roman Forum and the surrounding area.

What is observed in the canvas is a grassy clearing from which rise some of the most important monuments of the forum. On the right we see a small glimpse of what was the Curia: the oldest seat of the Senate, founded by the third king of Rome, Tullo Ostilio. Immediately next to the imposing facade of the church of Saints Luca and Martina martyrs, a masterpiece of the Roman Baroque whose origins date back to the seventh century. Beyond the prison of Mamertino and the church of Saint Joseph of the carpenters stands the grandiose arch of Septimius Severus; erected in the year 203 A.D. to glorify the military victories of Emperor Septimius Severus and his sons Caracalla and Geta. The arch was used for a purification ritual every time the army returned victorious from a battle: passing below and setting foot on the sacred ground of Rome, the army and the general who had led it purified themselves from the blood of the enemies.