Gezicht op Ostia, ca. 1702 1702 - 1703

This is an engraving of Ostia, an ancient Roman port city, created around 1702 by an anonymous artist. It depicts a tranquil view of the city, framed by the river Tiber and distant hills. In the 17th and 18th centuries, there was a fascination with classical antiquity, so this piece reflects the era's interest in the grandeur of ancient civilizations. Views like this were often produced for educated elites who appreciated classical history and aesthetics. This image encapsulates a longing for a glorious past, a narrative carefully constructed and consumed by the privileged. Consider the absence of everyday life, the erasure of the working class, and the idealized portrayal of the landscape. It prompts us to reflect on whose stories are told and whose are silenced in the construction of historical narratives. It captures a moment of reflection on the passage of time and the weight of history, inviting us to contemplate our place within it.