"Romersk" prospekt 1730 - 1793

Jens Petersen Lund created this pen and wash drawing entitled "Romersk" prospekt sometime in the late 18th century. Its subject is the ancient city of Rome. The picturesque view, composed in brown and grey washes, romanticizes the integration of ancient ruins into the everyday life of 18th-century Romans. The crumbling architecture merges with the urban landscape, highlighting the city's layered history. The image evokes the Grand Tour, a popular educational pilgrimage for wealthy Europeans. The social rituals of the Grand Tour shaped the art market in Rome, as many artists catered to the demand for views of the city. Lund, a Danish artist, made his career by creating images for the tourist trade. By studying the networks of artists, patrons, and institutions, we can understand the complex social conditions that shaped artistic production in 18th-century Rome. This drawing offers a glimpse into that world. Careful attention to travel journals, auction records, and artists' biographies can further illuminate the meaning of this deceptively simple scene.