View of Lateran, Rome 1672 - 1673

Lievin Cruyl made this drawing of the Lateran in Rome using pen, brown ink, and watercolor wash. The image presents a bird’s-eye view of the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, the Lateran Palace, and the Piazza di Porta San Giovanni. Cruyl was a Flemish artist who spent a significant part of his career in Rome, catering to the Grand Tour market. During the 17th century, Rome was a popular destination for wealthy Europeans, especially the British, who sought to experience the art, architecture, and culture of classical antiquity and the Renaissance. Artists like Cruyl produced views of Roman landmarks as souvenirs for these tourists. The image flattens the city into a picturesque scene for leisurely consumption. Cruyl emphasizes the grandeur and historical significance of the Lateran, presenting an idealized view that catered to the expectations and desires of his elite clientele. The image's meaning is contingent on this social and institutional context. To understand it better, we can explore period guidebooks, travel accounts, and architectural histories.