View of the Arch of Janus, with shepherds and goats in the foreground 1795 - 1800

François Morel's 1795-1800 etching "View of the Arch of Janus, with shepherds and goats in the foreground" depicts the Arch of Janus, a Roman arch built in the 4th century BC, in a romanticized landscape. The etching, held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases the architectural details of the arch, its broken facade, and the surrounding greenery. With shepherds and goats in the foreground, Morel captures the timeless charm of the Roman ruins, adding a touch of idyllic pastoralism to the scene. The viewer is drawn into the serenity of the landscape and invited to contemplate the enduring power of ancient architecture.