Forum Romanum te Rome 1747 - 1761

This print of the Roman Forum was made by Giuseppe Vasi in Rome, sometime in the 18th century. It shows the ruins of the ancient Forum, once the heart of the Roman Republic and later the Empire. But look closer; Vasi wasn't just documenting history. He was also commenting on the state of Rome in his own time. Notice the cattle grazing among the ruins, the farmers with their carts. The Forum, once a center of power, has become a pasture. Ancient glories are juxtaposed with the realities of 18th-century Roman life. Vasi’s print subtly critiques the decline of Rome, a theme that resonated with many at the time. The Catholic Church had become a powerful political force, and the old aristocratic families were losing their grip. Vasi implies that the institutions of his day do not measure up to those of the past. To understand this print fully, we need to research the social and political history of 18th-century Rome. Only then can we appreciate the full depth of Vasi's commentary on his world.