A View of Rome with Castel Sant’Angelo, Ponte Sant’Angelo and St Peter’s Basilica in the Background 

Antonietta Brandeis painted this view of Rome with oil on panel. Note how the composition leads your eye across the Tiber river, from the earthy foreground to the architectural landmarks. The circular form of the Castel Sant’Angelo is counterbalanced by the dome of St Peter's Basilica, creating a visual harmony. Brandeis uses colour to differentiate the historical layers within Rome. The warm browns and oranges of the Castel Sant’Angelo and the buildings closest to it evoke the city's ancient past. In contrast, the cooler grays and blues of St Peter's Basilica mark a shift to the Renaissance and Baroque periods. This juxtaposition invites us to consider how Rome's architectural evolution embodies its complex history. The texture, achieved through visible brushstrokes, adds depth to the scene. The reflections on the water's surface capture the dynamic interplay between light and movement. These details reveal Brandeis's sophisticated engagement with the aesthetic values that shape our understanding of place and time.