Three Young Girls by Ruins 1787 - 1793

Hubert Robert created this watercolor of young girls by ruins, likely in the late 18th century. The scene is dominated by classical ruins: a broken entablature, fallen columns, and a looming obelisk reaching skyward. These elements are not merely architectural; they are potent symbols of time’s passage and the transience of human achievement. Consider the obelisk, a form that originated in ancient Egypt as a representation of the sun god Ra. Transferred to Rome, obelisks became symbols of imperial power. Here, however, it stands amidst decay, a shadow of its former glory. The motif of ruins carries echoes of the vanitas tradition, reminding us of the ephemeral nature of beauty and life. This symbolism can also be found in later Romantic paintings by artists such as Caspar David Friedrich. The collective memory of lost grandeur evokes a melancholic emotion, reminding us of the cyclical nature of civilizations—rising, flourishing, and inevitably falling into ruin.