Boog van Constantijn met de resten van de Meta Sudans - Giovanni Giacomo de' Rossi

A detailed seventeenth-century etching depicting the Arch of Constantine and the remains of the Meta Sudans in Rome.

This etching captures the Arch of Constantine in Rome, positioned alongside the remains of the Meta Sudans, a conical fountain structure that once stood near the Colosseum. Produced by the prolific Roman publisher Giovanni Giacomo de' Rossi, the print reflects the seventeenth-century fascination with the physical remnants of classical antiquity. The composition focuses on the architectural mass of the triumphal arch, rendered with precise line work that defines the relief panels, columns, and attic inscriptions.

The inclusion of the Meta Sudans, depicted here as a weathered brick core, provides a sense of scale and historical context. Small figures populate the foreground, offering a human perspective against the monumental scale of the ruins. The surrounding area is shown with a mix of overgrown vegetation and distant structures, suggesting the state of the Roman Forum during the period. The text inscribed below the image provides a contemporary observation on the arch, noting its condition and its relationship to other Roman monuments.

De' Rossi operated a significant printing house in Rome, which was instrumental in circulating images of the city to a wider European audience. This work is characteristic of the topographical prints that documented the urban fabric of Rome, balancing technical accuracy with the aesthetic conventions of the era. The etching technique allows for a clear articulation of architectural detail, from the shadows cast by the arch's deep recesses to the textures of the masonry. It serves as a visual record of how these sites appeared before later archaeological excavations and urban modifications altered the area. The print is presented here as a high-quality reproduction, preserving the original tonal qualities and the clarity of the engraved lines.