Gezicht op de Basilica van Maxentius en Constantijn vanaf het Palatijn, Rome 1861 - 1878

Ernest Eléonor Pierre Lamy created this photograph of the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine from Palatine Hill in Rome. The image captures the allure of ancient ruins during a period of burgeoning European nationalism. Photography played a critical role in shaping perceptions of national identity and cultural heritage. Here, Rome is not just a city, but a repository of history and a symbol of a once-glorious empire. Lamy's perspective, framed from the Palatine Hill—one of the seven hills of Rome—lends a particular power to the image. The Basilica, with its massive arches and crumbling walls, stands as a testament to the passage of time. It acts as a somber, almost romantic reflection on the ephemeral nature of human achievement. Lamy's choice to capture the scene from a distance, overlooking the Farnese Gardens, adds a layer of serene detachment. It invites us to contemplate the grandeur of the past from the cultivated beauty of the present.