Gezicht op de Tempel van Antoninus en Faustina 1631 - 1661

Israel Silvestre created this etching, entitled 'View of the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina,' sometime between 1641 and 1691. It’s a scene of the ruins of the ancient Roman temple, but it's also so much more than that. Silvestre, living in an era of grand tours and burgeoning interest in classical antiquity, captures more than just stones and columns. He evokes a sense of time and history, but also of the social dynamics inherent in viewing and representing such sites. The image subtly highlights the dynamic between the grandeur of the past and the lives of the contemporary figures who move through the ruins. Consider the laborers in the foreground, their presence a stark contrast to the decaying grandeur of the temple. Silvestre invites us to reflect on how we connect with history, and how these monumental ruins are not just relics but places where everyday life unfolds. It's a reminder that history is not static, it’s constantly being reinterpreted and re-inhabited.