Zicht op de Engelenburcht met de Engelenbrug te Rome 1817

Constant Bourgeois created this print of the Castel Sant'Angelo and Ponte Sant'Angelo in Rome. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Rome became a focal point for artists, intellectuals, and travelers, drawn by its rich history. Bourgeois' print captures this fascination with the city's ancient monuments. Note the way the artist draws attention to the people in the print. On the bridge, and along the river, the figures give a sense of the bustling life within this ancient city. There is a feeling of peace to the print; however, the Castel Sant’Angelo has a dark past, having served as a prison and a place of execution. Perhaps Bourgeois is reminding us that Rome is a place of varied histories, and that even in scenes of everyday life, we may be standing in a place filled with stories of both hope and despair.