Capriccio with classical ruins on a quay, a boathouse, two galleys, two masts of a sailing ship behind them, a domed church in the background 1697 - 1768

This pen and ink drawing presents a harbor scene framed by classical ruins and crowned by a distant domed church. These ruins, with their echoes of past grandeur, evoke a profound sense of temporality. The motif of classical ruins juxtaposed with contemporary life appears throughout the Renaissance, symbolizing the cyclical nature of civilization. This imagery draws on a collective memory of fallen empires, reminding us of the ephemeral nature of human achievement. Similarly, the church in the background represents spiritual continuity. Consider the contrast between decay and divinity. This tension reflects a psychological struggle between the acknowledgment of mortality and the yearning for something eternal. Such artwork acts as a memento mori. Over time, the image of the harbor, the ruins, and the church have been passed down through history, shifting in meaning, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level.