Artwork
Rome, Arch of Constantine
Rome, Arch of Constantine is a photographic photography by Unknown. It dates from 1934 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Carved figures stand in niches on either side, and a smaller round window above holds a relief of people.
This black-and-white photo shows a crumbling stone archway with two tall columns and a rounded top. Carved figures stand in niches on either side, and a smaller round window above holds a relief of people. The walls behind are weathered, with more arches and broken sections visible in the distance.
The photo was taken in 1934, showing how old ruins look over time. The details in the carvings suggest skilled craftsmanship, even though the stone is worn.
Next, visit the Victoria and Albert Museum to see this photo and more like it.
Overview
A 1934 black-and-white photograph captures the Arch of Constantine, a weathered stone archway with fluted columns, sculptural elements, and carved medallions, set against a backdrop of crumbling ancient architecture.
Subject & Meaning
The photograph documents the state of the Arch of Constantine, a triumphal arch in Rome, highlighting the effects of aging on ancient monuments while preserving evidence of its original ornate details.
Technique & Style
The monochrome photograph emphasizes textures and structural elements, drawing attention to the craftsmanship evident in the carvings despite the arch's deteriorated condition.
History & Provenance
Taken in 1934, the photograph provides a historical record of the arch's condition at that time, reflecting the passage of time on the ancient structure.
Context
The image is part of a collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, suggesting its value as both a photographic work and a historical document of architectural heritage.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
The Arch of Titus and the Coliseum, Rome
Capriccio with Ruins and an Obelisk
Sunshine
Sculptures - The Colossal Horses, with the Statues of Castor and Pollux, the work of Phidias and Praxiteles (now in the Piazza di Monte Cavallo)
Tempio di Diana
Sculptures - Frieze of the Temple of Antonius and Faustina, A.D. 138.
Untitled
Venice