Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, plate thirty-six from the Ruins of Rome Possibly 1797

M. Dubourg created this print, "Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, plate thirty-six from the Ruins of Rome," during a period of immense cultural and political transformation in Europe. The late 18th and early 19th centuries saw the rise of Neoclassicism, a style that looked back to the grandeur of ancient Rome for inspiration. Here, Dubourg captures the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, a symbol of Roman imperial power, but also of the passage of time. The temple, dedicated to a Roman emperor and his wife, speaks to the ideals of power, love, and memory. Yet, the "ruins" in the title, highlight a sense of decline and change. The inclusion of everyday figures suggests a world where past grandeur meets present-day life. What does it mean to live among ruins, to witness the remnants of past civilizations? Perhaps this print invites us to reflect on the cyclical nature of history and the enduring power of memory.