Two Maps of Ancient Rome with a River God and Romulus and Remus

Art Historical Context

Discover the intricate world of ancient Rome through Jan Goeree's *Two Maps of Ancient Rome with a River God and Romulus and Remus*, a captivating drawing created before 1704. This Dutch artist's work blends cartography with mythology, featuring detailed maps of the Eternal City adorned with the river god Tiberinus—likely representing the Tiber River—and the legendary twins Romulus and Remus, nursed by a she-wolf. Animals, children, and divine figures weave into the urban layout, evoking Rome's foundational myths and evoking a sense of timeless wonder. Goeree employed a masterful mixed-media technique: red chalk for initial outlines, overlaid with precise pen and black ink lines, then enriched by brush and gray wash for depth and atmosphere. The incised lines suggest it was prepared for engraving or transfer, highlighting its role in the era's antiquarian revival, where artists like Goeree revived classical knowledge amid the Dutch Golden Age's fascination with history and exploration. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department as a 1958 gift from Helen and János Scholz, this 12 3/4 x 7 13/16-inch gem invites visitors to ponder Rome's enduring legacy. It beautifully captures the 17th-century blend of scholarship and artistry, making ancient history feel vividly alive.

About the Artist

Jan Goeree · 1670–1731

Comment on works: Painter; Draughtsman; Engraver; History; Subjects in landscapes