Rome and the Tiber Paying Homage to a Pope (Clement XI ?) 1625 - 1713

This drawing, "Rome and the Tiber Paying Homage to a Pope (Clement XI ?)" by Italian Baroque artist Carlo Maratti, depicts a scene of allegorical figures. The river Tiber is personified as a man, kneeling and holding an oar. He is joined by other figures, including an angel, a cherub, and a personification of Rome, all appearing to pay homage to a portrait of a Pope, most likely Clement XI. This drawing, located in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a study for a larger composition likely intended as a ceiling decoration. The style of the drawing reflects Maratti's mastery of the late Baroque period, known for its dynamic compositions and use of light and shadow. The artist's signature is visible in the lower left corner.