Plate 13: ruins of an ancient temple in the background, a herd of cows in the foreground, a round composition, from 'Roman landscapes and ruins' (Paysages et ruines de Rome) 1643 - 1648

Stefano della Bella created this etching, "Plate 13: ruins of an ancient temple in the background, a herd of cows in the foreground", in Italy in the mid-17th century. It encapsulates a widespread fascination with the classical past and its visible decay. The image presents a romantic vision of the Roman Campagna, a landscape littered with the remnants of antiquity. Here, cattle graze peacefully before the crumbling facade of a temple. This juxtaposition of ancient ruins with everyday life speaks to a specific moment in European cultural history. The rediscovery of classical texts and monuments fueled both artistic creation and antiquarian scholarship. The ruin became a potent symbol of time’s passage and the transience of human achievement. To truly understand this etching, we need to consider the institutions that shaped its creation. Della Bella's print was produced for a market of collectors and connoisseurs. Catalogues, inventories, and other archival documents allow us to trace the circulation and reception of these images. These resources reveal the social life of art, and its role in constructing cultural identity.