Imaginary View of Rome with Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, the Column of Trajan and a Temple
Hubert Robert, nicknamed 'Robert des Ruines,' was absolutely obsessed with the romantic decay of ancient Rome. In this fantasy landscape—known as a capriccio—he mashes up famous monuments like the spiraling Trajan's Column and a grand equestrian statue into one majestic, crumbling scene. You can spot 18th-century figures casually hanging out and washing clothes among the ancient rubble, treating these massive historical relics like a neighborhood park. It perfectly captures the mood of the Grand Tour era, where travelers flocked to Italy to soak in the 'sublime' beauty of civilization's leftovers.
- Technique
- Oil on canvas