Ancient Ruins on the Bank of the Tiber 1752 - 1756

This sketch, "Ancient Ruins on the Bank of the Tiber," was created by Augustin Pajou. Pajou, a prominent sculptor during the reign of Louis XV and Louis XVI, lived in an era defined by the Enlightenment's fascination with classical antiquity. During this period, artists like Pajou, often supported by aristocratic patronage, sought to revive the aesthetics of ancient Greece and Rome. But it wasn't just about aesthetics; it was about appropriating a narrative of power, grandeur, and civilization. In this sketch, the ruins along the Tiber River become more than just remnants of the past. They're symbols of cultural authority. The loose, suggestive lines invite us to contemplate the relationship between past and present, decay and endurance. In a world of societal change, revolution, and shifting power structures, this sketch could serve as both a nostalgic yearning for the past and a meditation on the impermanence of human achievement. It’s a poignant reflection on civilization, loss, and the passage of time.