The Fountain of Rome at the Villa d’Este, Tivoli 1765

Charles-Joseph Natoire sketched "The Fountain of Rome at the Villa d’Este, Tivoli" with delicate strokes, capturing the villa's splendor and leisurely life. Dominating the scene is the figure of Roma, a symbol of the city itself, seated regally by the fountain. This representation ties directly to ancient Roman iconography, where deities and personifications embodied places and values. Notice how Roma's presence here echoes in countless representations across time. She carries the weight of history, not just as an emblem of Rome but as a recurring figure in art, architecture, and even literature. Like a persistent dream, the echoes of Roma, once a goddess, and now a cultural idea, resurface time and again, reminding us of the cyclical nature of history, the persistence of memory, and the eternal return of symbols. It is almost as if we cannot help but conjure her, again and again.