The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum is an influential print created by Claude Lorrain French, 1600-1682, in 1636. This remarkable work, classified as a print, was executed using the demanding technique of etching on ivory laid paper. Although Lorrain (born Claude Gellée) was culturally rooted in France, the artist spent the majority of his career based in Rome, where he defined the genre of idealized, classical landscape known as paesaggio ideale.

The subject matter depicts the fragmented ruins of the historic Roman Forum, combining precise topographical detail with the artist’s characteristic atmospheric effects. Unlike some of his contemporaries who focused purely on dramatic decay, Lorrain integrated historical sites into serenely lit compositions that evoke a sense of classical order and quiet nostalgia. His masterful use of light, which often floods the scene from a low horizon line, guides the viewer through the architectural remnants and figures populating the foreground.

Dating to the mid-17th century, this piece demonstrates Lorrain’s technical skill as a printmaker. While highly renowned for his oil paintings, the production of prints like The Roman Forum allowed his influential visions to circulate widely across Europe from his studio in Italy. The development of his landscape style, rooted in the French classical tradition but transformed by the intense light of the Roman campagna, is powerfully evident in this delicate etching. This significant work resides in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, and high-quality images and prints of the masterwork are often made available through public domain initiatives.