North side of the Arch of Constantine, Rome 1609

Gerard ter Borch the Elder rendered this drawing of the North side of the Arch of Constantine in Rome using pen and brown ink in 1609. The scene presents a stark contrast between the detailed facade of the ancient arch and the adjacent, more plainly rendered building. Borch's formal approach invites us to consider the interplay between decay and endurance. The intricate carvings and grand scale of the arch represent enduring power, yet its weathered state implies the passage of time and the inevitability of decline. This tension is heightened by the adjacent building, which lacks the arch's ornate detail, suggesting a more transient existence. The composition, with the arch dominating the right side and the building balancing it on the left, creates a dialogue between past and present, permanence and impermanence. Borch uses the technique of linear perspective to give depth to the drawing and draw the viewer's eye into the distance, reinforcing a sense of historical context. The work doesn't offer a definitive interpretation, instead, it invites contemplation on the cyclical nature of civilization and the continuous re-evaluation of history.