Römische Ruinen mit Tonnengewölbe_ die Bäder des Caracalla 1788

Maximilian von Verschaffelt's 1788 watercolor, "Römische Ruinen mit Tonnengewölbe_ die Bäder des Caracalla," depicts the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla, a Roman bath complex in Rome. The painting captures the grandeur of the once-mighty structure, now overgrown with vegetation and time. Verschaffelt's use of soft, muted colors conveys a sense of the passage of time and the enduring power of nature. The inclusion of figures in the foreground adds a human element to the scene and underscores the scale of the ruins. This work is a testament to the allure of ancient Roman ruins and their continued fascination in the 18th century. Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.