The Nymphaeum of the Villa di Papa Giulio, Rome c. 1761

Hubert Robert's "The Nymphaeum of the Villa di Papa Giulio, Rome" is a red chalk drawing depicting the ruined nymphaeum of a Roman villa. The drawing, created in 1761, showcases Robert's interest in the aesthetics of ruins, a popular theme in 18th-century art. The composition emphasizes the crumbling structure of the building, with overgrown vegetation encroaching on the once grand architecture, highlighting the passage of time and the cyclical nature of history. Robert's drawing, with its detailed depiction of the architectural elements and the play of light and shadow, captures the melancholic beauty of decay.