Resten van de Tempel van Venus en Roma te Rome 1629

Giovanni Battista Mercati made this print of the remains of the Temple of Venus and Rome sometime between 1591 and 1645. It shows the ruins of the ancient temple, along with contemporary buildings, walls and towers. This image reflects the attitude of the Catholic church towards the classical past during the Counter-Reformation. On one hand, the ruins of the temple represent the decline of paganism, and the triumph of Christianity. On the other hand, they are a reminder of the glory of ancient Rome, and the Church's claim to be its legitimate heir. As such, ruins became a common artistic subject. To understand this print better, research into the patronage and audience for Mercati’s prints would be required. These sources can reveal the political and religious contexts that shaped his artistic choices. This research shows how the meaning of art is closely tied to its social and institutional environment.