Antique Ruins (the Baths of Caracalla?)
- Artist: Gilles-François-Joseph Closson
- Date: about 1824-9
- Medium: Oil on paper laid on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is "Antique Ruins (the Baths of Caracalla?)" by Gilles-François-Joseph Closson. Painted in the French tradition, this oil sketch showcases Closson's skill and attention to detail. Take a look at the lower left-hand corner - you can still see parts of his preliminary drawing peeking through.
The artist has deliberately left this piece unfinished, giving us a glimpse into his creative process. The dark red colour of the brickwork is striking, don't you think? Some art historians believe it might be an inspiration from Rome's ruins, particularly those on the Palatine Hill or Hadrian's Villa near Tivoli.
Look closely at the centre arch - with its slight curve and the shadow above. It bears a resemblance to one of the archways in the Baths of Caracalla in Rome. Of course, this is just speculation, but it's intriguing nonetheless. The artist's choice to leave some elements ambiguous adds to the mystique of the painting.
See it in person
Antique Ruins (the Baths of Caracalla?) hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
