A Capriccio View of Roman Ruins along the Tiber

About this work

This sketch shows a mix of old ruins and grand buildings by a river. On the left, a few people ride horses and walk near a small dock. In the middle, tall columns and arches stand like ancient temples, while to the right, a dome-topped church looks newer. The sky is pale, and the whole scene has a faded, ink-wash look. The artist blended real Roman ruins with imaginary structures—a common trick to show power and history. The mix of old and new buildings hints at how people in the past saw the past. Next, check out Baroque to see how this style used drama and mixing old and new.