View of the Tabularium 1847

Louis-Georges Brillouin sketched this view of the Tabularium in Rome with graphite on paper in 1847. The Tabularium, an ancient Roman structure, served as the city's archive. Brillouin captures its grandeur through the long, vaulted corridor, emphasizing its historical weight. In 1847, Italy was on the cusp of significant political upheaval, with growing calls for unification and independence from foreign powers. As a cultural center, Rome was a focal point for nationalist sentiment. Brillouin, a French artist, presents a view of Roman antiquity that would have appealed to this rising sense of national identity, evoking the past glories of the city. The crumbling architecture and the artist's choice of graphite—a medium often used for studies and documentation—suggest an interest in preserving and understanding history. To fully appreciate this work, we might consult historical records, architectural studies, and travel accounts from the period. Art like this is a mirror to the cultural and political contexts in which they were created.