Romeinse ruïnes 1637 - 1678

Willem Schellinks rendered this drawing of Roman ruins with pen in grey-brown ink and grey wash. The arches, repeated throughout the composition, strike a chord deep within our cultural memory. Think of triumphal arches, once symbols of imperial power, echoed in the vaulted ceilings of Gothic cathedrals, aspiring towards the heavens. Even today, the humble doorway borrows from this ancient form. But here, the arches are broken, overgrown. What was once a symbol of triumph has become a poignant reminder of decay. Consider, too, the psychological weight of ruins themselves. They speak to the transience of human endeavor, an idea that resurfaces in Romantic landscapes and even in modern-day dystopian visions. This cycle of creation and destruction taps into our deepest fears and hopes about the fate of civilization. The emotional power of the image lies in its ability to evoke both awe and melancholy. Thus, Schellinks’ ruins are more than just stones; they are echoes of history, resonating with the timeless human experience.