Reconstruction of the Circus of Caracalla (above) and a View of the Ruins (below) 1690 - 1704

Jan Goeree created this drawing, "Reconstruction of the Circus of Caracalla," around 1700 using pen and brown ink with gray wash on cream laid paper. The composition is neatly divided into two registers; above, a schematic reconstruction and, below, a ruinous vista, creating a dialogue between past glory and present decay. Goeree’s formal approach emphasizes clarity. Lines are precise, delineating architectural forms with meticulous accuracy. The upper portion presents a symmetrical, almost diagrammatic view of the Circus, focusing on linear perspective to convey depth. In contrast, the lower scene employs a more atmospheric treatment, using the gray wash to evoke the weathered texture and fragmented state of the ruins. This juxtaposition isn’t just about architectural documentation; it's a meditation on time and memory. The drawing’s structure invites us to reflect on the cyclical nature of civilization. The formal rigor of Goeree’s lines and the tonal contrasts of the wash become a visual metaphor for historical change.