La Caffarella (ou Grotte d'Egerie) 1620 - 1650

This etching by Jean Morin, created between 1620 and 1650, depicts a scene of "La Caffarella (ou Grotte d'Egerie)" near Rome. The image shows a group of figures gathered in the ruins of an ancient structure, likely the cave where the Roman nymph Egeria, the muse of Numa Pompilius, was said to have lived. Morin masterfully captures the grandeur of the ruins, emphasizing their historical significance, and the subtle play of light and shadow enhances the atmosphere of mystery and historical weight. The work, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies the popularity of Roman ruins as subject matter for 17th-century artists.