This magnificent view of the Forum by Canaletto comes from the same series of paintings as the Arch of Constantine. Like the other three works in the group, it is clearly signed and dated.
The Forum was the seat of the political and religious center of ancient Rome; the attempts to excavate it continued throughout the 18th century, and the ruins revealed were constantly praised by visitors to the city. The tourists depicted here are primarily admiring the remains of the Temple of Castor and Pollux, which dominates the foreground.
A man, on the right, is so intent on the ruins that he seems to ignore the cleric dressed in black attempting to converse with him. Further back, on the left, a knife grinder can be seen between the columns, and higher up, to the right, there's the Temple of Saturn. Above it there's the Palazzo Senatorio, overlooking the Capitoline Hill. These topographical features have been depicted with considerable care, but elsewhere the artist has insterted some elements freely: for example, some of the houses on the left are invented, and their chimneys are typically Venetian, rather than Roman.
Unique quality material
Print on handmade Amalfi paper with frame Size: 30 x 40 cm Material: Printed on high-quality handmade Amalfi paper with frayed edges. Frame: Light brown beech wood and handmade wood pulp.
Carta di Amalfi fatta a mano, cornice in legno di faggio e vetro museale. Guarda i particolari dei prodotti che renderanno la tua casa più elegante e preziosa.
