Baalbec,Ruins of the Temple of Bacchus 

David Roberts made this painting of the Baalbec ruins, likely in the mid-19th century, using oil paint on canvas. Oil paint lends itself to capturing the texture and weight of the ancient stone ruins. Look closely, and you'll see how the artist has layered the paint to create a sense of depth and decay, mimicking the weathering of the stones over centuries. The broken columns and scattered blocks are rendered with precise detail, highlighting the monumental scale of the original structure and the forces of time that have taken their toll. Roberts isn't just showing us a historical site; he's also inviting us to contemplate the labor and skill involved in constructing such a massive temple, and the social context of its creation. By focusing on the material presence of the ruins, Roberts bridges the gap between fine art and the more tactile world of building and craftsmanship.