San Giorgio in Velabro en de Boog van Janus te Rome 1629

Giovanni Battista Mercati created this print of "San Giorgio in Velabro and the Arch of Janus in Rome" sometime between 1591 and 1645 using etching and engraving techniques. During Mercati's lifetime, Rome was a city undergoing significant transformation, with the Catholic Church as a major patron of the arts. Prints like this one played an important role in documenting and disseminating images of Rome's architectural marvels. In this print, Mercati depicts two ancient structures: the church of San Giorgio in Velabro and the Arch of Janus. While seemingly a straightforward architectural study, the print engages with the complex layers of Rome's history, which intertwine pagan and Christian narratives. The Arch of Janus, dedicated to the Roman god of beginnings and transitions, stands as a vestige of Rome's imperial past. The church, on the other hand, represents the city's Christian present. The print invites contemplation on the ever-changing urban landscape, as well as on the cultural and religious identities that have shaped the city of Rome.