Gezicht op de tombes van Horatii en Curiatii (Albano) 1796 - 1798

François Morel made this print of the tombs near Albano, likely in the late 18th or early 19th century. It shows the supposed burial site of the Horatii and Curiatii brothers, who famously fought to resolve a conflict between Rome and Alba Longa. The print is interesting for what it tells us about the cultural significance of ruins during this period. Ancient sites like this were powerful symbols of a glorious past, but also reminders of the transience of empires. Morel’s print presents these tombs not just as historical monuments, but also as picturesque features of the Italian landscape. How did this imagery of the tombs become so popular? Well, prints like these were often made as souvenirs for tourists on the Grand Tour, and we can find many similar examples in museum collections. Understanding the social and institutional context for these images helps us appreciate their role in shaping ideas about history, landscape, and national identity.