Gezicht op Rome met de Tiber en de Ponte Sisto 1680

This print presents a view of Rome with the Tiber and Ponte Sisto, captured through delicate lines and stark contrasts by an anonymous hand. Observe the bridge, an archetype of connection and transition since antiquity. In this image, it spans the Tiber, both dividing and uniting the city. Bridges have always held symbolic weight; think of the Roman Pontifex Maximus, the ‘greatest bridge-builder,’ a title that later became associated with the Pope, embodying the role of mediator between the earthly and divine. Consider how the bridge here contrasts with ancient triumphal arches. While arches celebrate conquest and power, bridges emphasize connection, trade, and the flow of people and ideas. This shift reflects a transformation in cultural values, moving from the glorification of war to an emphasis on urban development and communal life. The river itself symbolizes the continuous flow of time and history. Note how the buildings along the riverbank seem to both emerge from and dissolve into the water, suggesting the cyclical nature of civilization. This image of Rome is not merely a snapshot, but a reflection on the enduring yet ever-changing spirit of the city.