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The image features ancient architectural ruins with large archways dominating the scene. The perspective shows a view through the arches with a distant space beyond. The detailed etching technique is evident in the intricate line work and hatching, depicting textures and shadows, especially in the stone and architectural details. The color palette is monochromatic in shades of black and white, emphasizing contrast. Foliage grows atop some structures, adding texture and depth.
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The image features ancient architectural ruins with large archways dominating the scene. The perspective shows a view through the arches with a distant space beyond. The detailed etching technique is evident in the intricate line work and hatching, depicting textures and shadows, especially in the stone and architectural details. The color palette is monochromatic in shades of black and white, emphasizing contrast. Foliage grows atop some structures, adding texture and depth.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Antonine Baths, or Baths of Caracalla

Giovanni Battista Mercati

Date
1629
Medium
etching on laid paper
Dimensions
plate: 9.5 × 12.7 cm (3 3/4 × 5 in.) sheet: 15.1 × 21.5 cm (5 15/16 × 8 7/16 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2022.189.3
Credit line
Gift of Andrée and Jonathan Bober
Time span
1601 to 1650
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record

Portfolio and series

Series
Alcune vedute et prospettive di luoghi dishabitati di Roma
Provenance

(Enrico Cortona, Milan, c. 1990); Jonathan Bober, Washington, D.C.; gift to NGA, 2022.

Inscription

upper left in plate: Listesle; upper right in plate: 4; lower right in plate: G.M.F; by later hand, lower right in graphite: 4

NGA object ID 225901. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.