Gezicht in de bovengangen van het Colosseum te Rome 1788 - 1839

Hendrik Voogd’s pencil drawing captures the upper corridors of the Colosseum in Rome. The arch is the dominant architectural feature, a symbol deeply rooted in Roman engineering and triumphal power. Consider the arch not merely as a structural element but as a recurring motif across millennia. From ancient Roman aqueducts to the Arc de Triomphe, the arch signifies victory, passage, and the enduring strength of civilization. Yet, here, the arches are decaying, overgrown with foliage, suggesting a poignant reflection on time's passage and the transience of even the mightiest empires. This image stirs a contemplation of ruins, akin to Piranesi's etchings, which evoke the psychological weight of history. The Colosseum, once a stage for gladiatorial combat, now stands as a silent witness. Our collective memory is filled with images of conflict and spectacle; it is in these ruins that we confront the ephemeral nature of glory, reminding us of the inevitable decay that awaits all human endeavors.