Zicht op de Tempel van de Zon en de Maan in Rome c. 1748

Philothée François Duflos created this print of the Temple of the Sun and Moon in Rome during the 1700s, a period when the Grand Tour was at its peak and many Northern European artists traveled to Italy to study its art and architecture. Here, the classical ruins stand as a powerful reminder of past empires and the cyclical nature of history. These monuments acted as a sort of mirror reflecting the present through the lens of the past. Notice the figures in the foreground, rendered small against the backdrop of these monumental structures. They prompt a feeling of insignificance, a poignant contemplation of the self in relation to history and the vastness of time. This was a theme Duflos frequently explored, inviting viewers to consider their place within the grand narrative of human civilization. The artist’s print serves as a contemplative bridge, linking the grandeur of ancient Rome with the personal experiences of those who walked among its ruins.