Gateway in the Via Sepulcralis in Pompeii 1846

Christen Købke's "Gateway in the Via Sepulcralis in Pompeii" (1846) is a captivating portrayal of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, frozen in time after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The painting depicts a gateway, a remnant of the once bustling Via Sepulcralis, with the ruins of the city stretching out in the background. A lone figure walks through the gateway, emphasizing the vastness and emptiness of the site. Købke's meticulous detail and subtle use of light capture the somber beauty of the ruins, creating a sense of both desolation and awe. The artwork is a significant example of Købke's interest in historical landscapes, a genre that thrived in the early 19th century.