Boog van Janus en San Giorgio in Velabro - Giovanni Giacomo de' Rossi

A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Giovanni Giacomo de' Rossi, documenting the Arch of Janus and the church of San Giorgio in Velabro in Rome.

This etching depicts the Arch of Janus and the church of San Giorgio in Velabro, situated within the historic Forum Boarium in Rome. Giovanni Giacomo de' Rossi, a prominent publisher and printmaker of the seventeenth century, produced this work as part of a broader documentation of Roman topography. The composition captures the architectural contrast between the ancient Roman arch and the medieval church, providing a clear view of the urban fabric of the city during the Baroque period.

The Arch of Janus, a four-sided structure, occupies the centre of the frame, showing signs of its age and structural decay. To its right, the church of San Giorgio in Velabro is rendered with its characteristic portico and campanile. The foreground includes figures engaged in daily activities, such as figures on horseback and individuals walking, which provide a sense of scale to the monumental ruins. The artist employs precise line work to delineate the masonry of the arch and the columns of the church, reflecting the technical standards of seventeenth-century printmaking.

Below the image, an Italian inscription provides historical context regarding the site, identifying the arch as a structure from the Roman era and noting its location within the Forum Boarium. This print serves as a record of how these monuments appeared before later archaeological excavations altered the surrounding ground levels. The work is characteristic of the veduta tradition, which sought to document the physical reality of Rome for collectors and travellers. The print is presented here as a high-quality reproduction, maintaining the clarity of the original etching lines and the tonal balance of the ink work on paper.