Interieur van toren op het graf van Ciceron tussen Itri en Gaeta 1778

Louis Ducros captured the interior of Cicero’s tomb in a watercolor wash on paper. This choice of materials allows for a study of the light, shadow, and texture of the ancient site. Ducros worked with the earthiest and most common of materials. It's all too easy to overlook the significance of these choices. The architecture comes alive through the ways in which the strokes of the brush are visible in the final work. We can imagine the process by which Ducros built up his image with diluted washes, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. The monochrome palette heightens our perception of the texture and character of the stone. Ducros's artistic skill lies in his ability to transform these humble materials into an image that has the immediacy of a photograph. But this is no mechanical process. The hand of the artist is evident throughout, reminding us that art is always the result of human labor and intervention.