L'Arco Di Druso, Rome 

Antonietta Brandeis captured the Arco di Druso in this oil painting, a remnant of ancient Rome, where the arch stands not merely as a structure but as a gateway through time. The arch, initially a symbol of Roman triumph and imperial power, is here depicted as a weathered ruin. This is a common motif throughout art history, reflecting both the transience of human achievement and the inexorable power of nature. Consider, for example, the motif of ruins in Romantic landscapes, which evokes feelings of melancholy and nostalgia. These elements also serve as a reminder of the cyclical nature of civilization, and the continuous process of building and decay. The goats passing through the arch remind us of the pastoral, an artistic motif found in the Renaissance. The image evokes a deep, subconscious connection to a bygone era. The emotional power of this artwork lies in its ability to evoke a sense of historical continuity, where past and present converge.