Arch of Septimius Severus, Rome 1505 - 1571

Bartolomeo Neroni, known as Il Riccio, created this pen and brown ink drawing, “Arch of Septimius Severus, Rome,” likely in the mid-16th century. The drawing presents a symmetrical façade, dominated by vertical columns and rounded arches, characteristic of classical Roman architecture. The linear precision and architectural detail give the structure a sense of imposing grandeur. Il Riccio’s strategic use of line is not merely descriptive; it evokes the principles of order and reason valued during the Renaissance. The arch, a symbol of imperial power and victory, is rendered with an almost obsessive attention to detail. This meticulousness, combined with the stark linearity, serves to monumentalize the structure, emphasizing its role as a lasting emblem of Roman authority. However, the drawing's incompleteness also raises questions. Is it a celebration of Roman power or a meditation on the fragmentations of history? By leaving parts unfinished, Il Riccio invites a dialogue about the nature of representation and the relationship between past and present. Ultimately, this work functions as both a visual document and an intellectual exercise, prompting us to consider the layers of meaning embedded within classical forms.