Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione (1609-1664)

God the Father regarding the Infant Christ  Rome, 1645-7 Etching Plate: 260 x 200 mm, mount: 557 x 406 mm Castiglione represents the Holy Family as natural human figures. A plump infant Christ sleeps peacefully, watched by the Virgin Mary and an unusually tangible and human God. Catistiglione was greatly influenced by Rembrandt’s chiaroscuro etchings … Read more

JOSEPH GOTT (1786 – 1860)

Greyhound with Puppies Rome, about 1825-27 Carved white marble, on a variegated marble base 43 x 55 x 37.5 cm The British sculptor Joseph Gott lived and worked in Rome, the birthplace of neo-classicism, of which style he was a late exponent. His repertoire was broad, but his animal groups attracted the greatest praise from … Read more

Claude Lorrain (1604/5-1682)

Sunrise Rome, 1634 Etching Paper: 12.9 x 20 cm; mount: 40.5 x 56 cm This marine scene bustles with activity as figures gesticulate, exchange glances and huddle in groups. The sun, which faintly be seen on the horizon, floods the picture with light and blurs the distant mountains. Opposite the triumphal Arch of Titus on … Read more

Agostino Tassi (1578-1644)

Musicians  Rome, 17th century Pen and brown iron gall ink over black chalk on paper 12.1 x 15.4 cm Three comparable sheets of groups of music-makers are at the British Museum, a group of five standing musicians was with Christie’s in 2003 and three separate figure studies engaged in playing an instrument are at the … Read more

GIOVANNI BATTISTA PIRANESI (1720-1778)

The Villa d’Este, Tivoli Rome, 1773 Etching This engraving is from a series entitled Views of Rome. In this etching, Piranesi depicted the impressive gardens of the Villa d’Este in Tivoli, originally built for Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este (1509-1572).  The inclusion of tiny figures on the steps emphasises the scale of the grounds. The garden … Read more

Inheriting Rome

The Imperial Legacy in Coinage and Culture Look at one of the coins you’re carrying today: you’ll see the Queen’s portrait facing right and Latin script around the royal head. It seems our coins have looked this way forever – and that’s nearly true. But why? This exhibition uses money to explore and question our deep-seated familiarity with the Roman Empire’s imagery. Britain is … Read more