De boog van Titus op het Forum Romanum 1786 - 1817

Daniël Dupré made this watercolor painting of the Arch of Titus in the Roman Forum. You can see how Dupré used the medium to capture the Arch's material. The watercolor paint is translucent. Dupré has diluted it to bring out a sense of light, air, and stone surface. The texture of the paper support also plays a role, helping to render the rough, weathered blocks of travertine and the eroded details of the Arch. Watercolors were often used for architectural studies during this period. Because the medium is relatively easy to transport and work with on-site, watercolor allowed artists to capture the qualities of light, space, and the built environment. Consider the social context as well: the Arch, a symbol of Roman imperial power, is now a ruin, being sketched by an artist who has traveled to Rome. It is a far cry from the labour involved in the original production of the arch, in the ancient city. The artist himself and his materials become the focus. This shift in emphasis helps us consider art in connection with craft.