Via Appia with the tomb of Caecilia Metell 1886

Oswald Achenbach painted 'Via Appia with the tomb of Caecilia Metell', an oil on canvas, during a time when European artists were captivated by Italy’s historical landscapes. Achenbach situates us within the rural, working life that exists alongside the ancient ruins of Rome. Here, identity is expressed through labor, with a focus on the common people who work the land and their relationship with the land itself. Achenbach does not shy away from the social realities of the time. While he romanticizes the Italian countryside, he also acknowledges the presence of those who live there. He develops a narrative of the past and present, suggesting a continuity of human experience. 'Via Appia with the tomb of Caecilia Metell' reminds us that history is not just about monuments and celebrated figures, it is also about the daily lives and struggles of ordinary people. It invites us to reflect on our own connections to the land, and to consider how our identities are shaped by the places we inhabit.