The Ripetta in Rome [verso] 1752 - 1756

Augustin Pajou's sketch captures the Ripetta in Rome, a scene dominated by classical architecture and a central obelisk, rendered simply in pen. The obelisk has a long history, originating in ancient Egypt as a symbol of the sun god Ra and royal power. The Romans, captivated by Egyptian culture, adopted obelisks, erecting them as monuments to their emperors and gods. You see them throughout Rome. The obelisk in Pajou's sketch speaks to this continuum of cultural appropriation, a symbol of power that has migrated across time and geography. In the collective memory, the obelisk resonates with the primal human impulse to connect with higher powers. It rises, reaching skyward, an expression of human ambition and the desire for transcendence. The recurring image of the obelisk across millennia testifies to humanity’s enduring fascination with power and immortality, a visual echo passed down through ages, constantly reshaped, yet eternally resonant.