Temple of Mars Ultor, Rome

1840–45

Not on view

Holland first visited Italy in 1835 and would thereafter return often. He here responds to the ruined Temple of Mars Ultor (Mars the Avenger), which stands in a corner of the Forum of Augustus. Three Corinthian columns, at left, survive from a temple colonnade erected by the emperor Augustus. A sunken arch at center, built by the emperor Tiberius in 19 ce was known locally as the Arco dei Panani (Italian for "fen," a water-covered lowland), referring to the swampy site. The artist shows it spanning the Via di Tor de’ Conti with oxcart in the foreground to demonstrate that life continues among the ruins. The restrained tonality of Holland’s washes indicates a date before 1845.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Temple of Mars Ultor, Rome
Artist: James Holland (British, Burslem, Staffordshire 1799–1870 London)
Date: 1840–45
Medium: Watercolor over graphite
Dimensions: Sheet: 17 5/8 × 9 3/16 in. (44.8 × 23.3 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Gift of James David Draper, from the Robert Isaacson Collection, 2014
Object Number: 2014.643.4
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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The orange market, with the Rialto Bridge beyond, Venice, James Holland British, Watercolor and gouache (bodycolor) over graphite — The orange market, with the Rialto Bridge beyond, Venice
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Sabrina, Samuel Palmer British, Watercolor and gouache (bodycolor) over graphite, with reductive techniques, shell gold and gum arabic — Sabrina
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