Gezicht op de ruïnes van het Pantheon, de Boog van Constantijn en andere monumenten te Rome Possibly 1753

Robert Sayer created this print of the ruins of Rome sometime in the late 18th century. It depicts the Pantheon, the Arch of Constantine, and other monuments. This print speaks volumes about the era it was created in; a time when the remains of ancient civilizations were romanticized. During this period Rome represented the grandeur and also the transience of power. Interest in classical antiquity was also tied to the colonial project, with the British empire seeing itself as the heir to Rome’s imperial power. Notice how the artist places contemporary figures amidst these ruins, reflecting the intersection of past and present. The figures are rendered in a way that seems like they are reclaiming the space of the ruins. It is not clear if the figures depicted are locals or British tourists on The Grand Tour. This artwork thus reflects not only an appreciation of history but also invites us to consider the legacies of empire and cultural identity. How do we relate to histories of civilizations long gone?