View of the aqueduct of Arcueil with figures 1726 - 1803

Jean-Baptiste Lallemand sketched this view of the Arcueil aqueduct, capturing not just a structure but a symbol of Roman ingenuity and power. The aqueduct, with its arches marching across the landscape, echoes the great Roman aqueducts, those arteries of civilization that brought water and life to the cities. The arch itself is a potent motif, a symbol of triumph and transition, think of the Roman triumphal arches, gateways for emperors returning victorious. But it’s not just Rome; the arch appears in Gothic cathedrals reaching for the heavens, each time imbued with a sense of aspiration. Here, in Lallemand's drawing, the aqueduct stands as a reminder of past glories. Yet, it also functions as a bridge, both literally and figuratively, connecting different eras. The scene is imbued with a serene, almost melancholic, quality, as if reflecting on the cyclical nature of history. The aqueduct is more than just stone and mortar; it is a vessel carrying the memories and aspirations of generations.