Torione Anticho Fori di Roma c. 1630 - 1635

Claude Lorrain's red chalk drawing, *Torione Anticho Fori di Roma*, depicts a ruined tower near the Roman Forum, the ancient heart of the Roman Empire. Executed in the early 1630s, the piece captures the serene beauty of the Roman landscape, a theme that Lorrain explored throughout his career. The drawing, which measures only 9.5 x 12.9 cm, exemplifies the artist's mastery of atmospheric perspective and the use of light and shadow to create depth and dimension. Lorrain's drawings were often used as preparatory sketches for his larger paintings, allowing him to capture the details of the natural world with exquisite precision.