The Remains of the Roman Forum 1861

David Roberts created this painting of the Roman Forum. Roberts' image participates in the grand tradition of depicting the glory of ancient civilizations. But here, that glory is undeniably in ruins. The painting asks us to consider what remains of the Roman Empire, in relation to what has been built on top of it. We see classical ruins, and in the background, the domes and towers of Renaissance and Baroque Rome. These architectural styles, so deeply indebted to the classical past, signal how later cultures have drawn upon Roman culture for inspiration. Historical research, alongside an understanding of the social and cultural context, helps us to see these historical artworks as more than just pretty pictures. We can understand them as sites where different value systems and ideologies meet.