Twee gezichten op de Vredestempel in Rome 1693 - 1704

This is Jacobus Baptist’s “Twee gezichten op de Vredestempel in Rome,” made sometime between 1678 and 1704. The print depicts two views of the Temple of Peace in Rome, contrasting its idealized form with its ruined state. Baptist's work invites us to reflect on the transient nature of power and the impact of time on human achievements. It highlights a narrative of decline, subtly critiquing the hubris of empire. The Temple of Peace, initially a symbol of Roman dominance, is rendered vulnerable, its legacy fragmented across the landscape. The cherubic figures flanking the images add an interesting element, do they represent a lament for the past, or a hope for renewal? Ultimately, Baptist’s work is a poignant meditation on the themes of ambition and decay, prompting a deeper consideration of how societies remember, or perhaps choose to forget, their own histories.