View of the Forum Romanum with the Arch of Septimius Severus from the East

Art Historical Context

Israel Silvestre’s etching captures a evocative view of the Roman Forum from the east, centering on the imposing Arch of Septimius Severus. Created sometime between the mid- and late seventeenth century, the small print records the ancient ruins as they appeared centuries after the fall of Rome, with the arch’s triple-bay structure rising amid scattered columns and weathered stone. Silvestre, a French draftsman and printmaker celebrated for his topographical views, traveled to Italy and translated these scenes into delicate etched lines that appealed to European collectors fascinated by classical antiquity. The choice of etching allowed Silvestre to reproduce fine architectural detail while conveying the textured surfaces of aged marble and overgrown masonry. Such prints played an important role in shaping the visual culture of the Grand Tour, offering armchair travelers and scholars portable images of Rome’s storied sites. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum in 1917, this modest sheet continues to illustrate how seventeenth-century artists helped preserve and romanticize the enduring legacy of Roman architecture for later generations.

About the Artist

Israel Silvestre (French) · 1621 –1691

French, Nancy 1621–1691 Paris