The Roman Circus near Santa Croce in Gerusalemme

The Roman Circus near Santa Croce in Gerusalemme is a significant drawing created by Jacques-Louis David between 1775 and 1780. Executed during the artist’s foundational study trip to Rome, this work captures an essential architectural ruin. The drawing employs black chalk applied over pale blue paper, meticulously enhanced with a gray wash. This careful combination of materials allows David to achieve subtle atmospheric effects and defined contrasts, characteristic of his preparatory studies from this era and crucial for developing his transition toward the Neoclassical style.

The subject depicts the remnants of the ancient Roman structure located near the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. While immersed in classical antiquity, David, a leading figure of the French school, meticulously documented the physical dimensions and textures of these crumbling ruins. The technical structure of the drawing reflects the prevailing artistic concerns of the time, aligning strongly with the period 1751 to 1775, when the detailed rediscovery and documentation of classical sites were central to European art and scholarship. These studies were foundational to the development of Neoclassicism, a movement the artist would later define with monumental history paintings.

This drawing is part of the extensive collection held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it provides essential insight into the working methods and early classical influences of the artist. As a key study relating to the early career of David, the piece reflects the demanding observational standards of the era. High-quality prints of this detailed drawing are frequently made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread access to David’s precise drafting skill and topographical record of ancient Rome.