Domingo Motta (1872 - 1962), View Of Ancient Rome - Jesus Attends The Triumph Of Constantine

Domingo Motta (1872 - 1962)

View of ancient Rome - Jesus attends the triumph of Constantine

Oil on canvas, cm 88 x 148

With frame, cm 114 x 180

Signed in the lower right

The Ligurian painter Domingo Motta returns in this painting a deep reflection on the origins of Christianity as we know it, as well as mentioning an important work of historical reconstruction of ancient Rome.

In fact, the panorama pictured is a view of ancient Rome at the time of the triumph of the emperor Constantine in 312 d.c. The clever quote refers to a famous work by Joseph Bühlmann (1844 to 1921) and Alexander Wagner (1838 - 1919): the "Das Alte Rom mit dem Triumphzuge Kaiser Constantins im Jahre 312" or, better, Ancient Rome with the triumph of the emperor Constantine in 312 published in Monaco in 1892. This is a reconstruction project of the times of ancient Rome made on a laporello (book or booklet that opens to accordion) originally 1.76 cm long (composed of 22 sheets and 8 photographs) Now no longer visible in original but whose children are preserved original projects in the library of the University of Munich. Pictured is the great temple of Giova Capitolino with behind it the theater of Marcello. The building on the right was the entrance to the Tabularium. All in the distance are the buildings of the forum.

Here Motta reelaborates with some finesse the Roman view by adding the central figure of Christ observing the panorama and a peacock, symbol of immortality and of Christ himself. The complicated reading of the work seems to be a reflection on the future rivalry of Christianity; it was Constantine in 313 with the Edict of Milan to guarantee all citizens, then also to Christians, the freedom to venerate their own divinities. And why not read in the peacock also the symbol of immortality of Rome, eternal city.