De Colonna della Pace te Rome 1651

This etching by Louis Rouhier presents the Colonna della Pace in Rome. It gives us a glimpse into 17th-century Rome, a time of baroque splendor and strict social hierarchies. Originally part of the Temple of Peace built by Emperor Vespasian, the column was repurposed in the 17th century to support a statue of the Virgin Mary, marking a shift from pagan to Christian symbolism. This act reflects the Catholic Church’s efforts to assert its dominance and weave itself into the historical narrative of Rome. The surrounding figures are depicted in a way that emphasizes their distance from the column, which elevates the statue and those it represents. By placing a Christian icon on a structure from the Roman Empire, the image prompts us to consider the layers of power, faith, and history that shape a city's identity. It’s a reminder of how symbols can be transformed and reinterpreted across generations, carrying different meanings depending on the context and who is looking at them.