The Basilica and Monastery of the Quattro Santi Coronati in Rome c. 1809 - 1812

Josephus Augustus Knip created this watercolor of The Basilica and Monastery of the Quattro Santi Coronati in Rome. Knip was born in the Netherlands in 1777, and much of his artistic career was spent in France. Here, the monastery looms. The palette is restrained, almost sepia-toned, and the edifice is depicted in a style that attempts to faithfully capture its architectural details. Yet, the image raises questions about power and representation. In the 18th and 19th centuries, European artists often traveled to Italy, drawn by its rich history and classical architecture. But what does it mean to depict such a site? How does the artist's Northern European perspective shape the narrative of Italian history and identity? This representation invites us to consider not only what is shown, but also what is left out. Whose stories are centered, and whose are marginalized in the creation of such a landscape?