The Forum, Rome 1853 - 1856

Jane Martha St. John made this photograph of the Roman Forum in the mid-nineteenth century using the calotype process. The image captures the Forum as a palimpsest, a site of accumulated history. We see classical ruins juxtaposed with Renaissance churches, a testament to Rome’s enduring significance through shifting political and religious landscapes. The choice of photography itself speaks to the cultural moment. Photography in the 19th century was celebrated for its supposed objectivity, yet, as a cultural historian, I ask you to consider the choices inherent in framing this view. Why the Forum? What did it represent to St. John and her audience? Was it simply a picturesque scene, or did it evoke deeper questions about the rise and fall of empires, or the relationship between the classical past and the modern world? Understanding this image requires delving into the cultural and intellectual history of 19th-century Europe, the rise of archaeology, and the Grand Tour. The photograph invites us to consider how Rome’s past was being re-imagined and re-presented for a new era.