Ruïnes van de thermen van Caracalla, Rome c. 1609

Gerard ter Borch’s drawing presents us with the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla. Dominating the scene are the arches, symbols of Roman power, engineering prowess, and civic life. Consider the arch—a motif that spans millennia. From triumphal arches celebrating military victories to the archways of cathedrals symbolizing a gateway to the divine, this architectural element carries profound cultural weight. In ancient Rome, arches signified imperial authority and the glory of the empire. We see echoes of this in Renaissance and Baroque art, where arches frame scenes of power and triumph. The ruins here evoke feelings of melancholy and contemplation on the ephemeral nature of human achievement. It is a recognition of the transience of even the grandest empires and the vanity of human wishes. Yet, simultaneously, it symbolizes resilience; in the face of decay, something persists. This image serves as a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of history, destruction, and rebirth.