View of the Ruins of the Palatine Hill 1690 - 1704

Jan Goeree's "View of the Ruins of the Palatine Hill" (1690-1704) is a detailed drawing of the Palatine Hill in Rome, a site that was once home to the Roman emperors. The drawing is framed by two stone pillars and features a putto, a winged cherub, looking out at the scene. The inscription at the bottom of the drawing, "Palatii Vestiga", translates to "vestiges of the palace." This inscription highlights the drawing's purpose, which was to showcase the ruins of the Palatine Hill as a testament to the grandeur of Roman antiquity. Goeree's depiction, with its meticulous detail and architectural accuracy, reflects the 17th-century fascination with Roman history and the flourishing of Grand Tour art, which documented the ruins of ancient Rome for an appreciative European audience.