La Veuë de l’Arc de Constantin et du Colisee

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

This engraving by French artist Gabriel Perelle captures a sweeping view of two iconic Roman landmarks: the Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum. Created in the late seventeenth century, the print reflects the period’s fascination with classical antiquity, as European artists and collectors looked to ancient Rome for inspiration in art and architecture. Perelle, known for his detailed landscape prints, translated these monumental structures into an accessible image that brought the Eternal City to viewers far beyond Italy. As a print, the work exemplifies an important medium of its time. Engravings and etchings allowed images of famous sites to circulate widely among scholars, artists, and the educated public, functioning almost like early travel souvenirs or educational tools. The crisp lines and atmospheric perspective typical of the era help convey both the scale of the ruins and the enduring power of Roman engineering. Now part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection, this piece was acquired through the Advisory Council and continues to offer visitors a window into how seventeenth-century Europeans understood and celebrated the ancient world.