View of Rome (recto); A Woman's Head In Profile (verso) 1785 - 1796

François Gérard rendered this view of Rome with pen and brown ink, and gray wash. The somber monochrome palette lends a classical restraint to the architectural panorama, evoking a sense of historical gravitas. The composition is structured around a series of horizontal layers, from the foreground’s rough terrain to the orderly rooftops and domes. This layering creates depth, yet the muted tones collapse space, inviting us to reflect on the relationships between these architectural forms and the environment. Gérard’s lines are precise but soft, capturing the interplay of light and shadow across the Roman skyline. The drawing reflects the Neoclassical interest in antiquity and order. The composition directs our gaze through the city, inviting a dialogue between the ancient and contemporary, and revealing an enduring tension between ruin and restoration, chaos and order.