Baths of Caracalla
between 1818 and 1822
Lewis Vulliamy captures the crumbling grandeur of Rome's ancient Baths of Caracalla in this delicate sepia wash drawing, likely created during his architectural Grand Tour. The sketch shows massive brick arches being reclaimed by nature, with trees sprouting from the very tops of the ruins like wild hair. It feels like a quiet, sunny afternoon in a forgotten empire, perfectly capturing the Romantic obsession with decay and history that defined the Neoclassical era. Architects of this time traveled to Italy specifically to measure and draw these ruins, using them as inspiration for buildings back in England.
- Technique
- pencil and brown wash
- Material
- paper