Tempio della Tosse a Tivoli 1793

"Tempio della Tosse a Tivoli" is an etching made by Albert Christoph Dies in the late 18th or early 19th century. During this period, artists often depicted the Italian countryside through a romantic lens, idealizing rural life. This artwork presents a pastoral scene, seemingly untouched by industrialization, where figures blend harmoniously with nature. The serene landscape, however, stands in stark contrast to the temple's name, “Temple of Coughs,” offering a poignant view of the realities of rural life, where health and hardship were intertwined. The figures in the landscape, possibly local inhabitants, are rendered with a sense of dignity. Dies invites us to reflect on the connections between the land, its people, and the silent stories held within historical spaces. This etching captures a moment in time, inviting us to consider the complex relationship between romantic ideals and the lived experiences of those who shaped the landscape.