Interpretation
Essentially in ruins since the fifth century A.D., by the seventeenth century the still-to-be excavated Roman Forum was popularly known as the Campo Vaccino, or cow field, alluding to its dual role as pasture and cattle market; it was also a popular sketching spot for artists. In this view of an actual site, rare in his oeuvre, Claude deftly employs atmospheric perspective to conjure up a detailed view, highlighting the Arch of Septimius Severus on the right and incorporating vignettes of contemporary daily life based on his on-the-spot sketches.
Information
- Title
- Campo Vaccino (Roman Forum)
- Object Number
- 2019-462
- Maker
- Claude Lorrain
- Medium
- Etching
- Dates
- 1636
- Dimensions
- 20 × 25.1 cm (7 7/8 × 9 7/8 in.)
- Credit Line
- Bequest of Duane E. Wilder, Class of 1951
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