Gezicht op de Thermen van Caracalla in Rome, met vooraanstaande bezoekers en een koets - Guilliam du Gardijn

A detailed topographical study of the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, featuring figures and a carriage, rendered in graphite and grey wash.

This drawing by Guilliam du Gardijn captures the imposing ruins of the Baths of Caracalla in Rome. As a Dutch artist active during the early seventeenth century, du Gardijn belonged to a generation of Northern European painters who travelled to Italy to study classical antiquity. His approach here is one of careful observation, documenting the massive brickwork and vaulted structures that remained of the imperial complex.

The composition balances the monumental scale of the ancient architecture against the presence of contemporary figures. In the foreground, a horse-drawn carriage and several visitors provide a sense of scale, suggesting the site was a destination for travellers and scholars during the period. The use of graphite and grey wash allows for a subtle rendering of light and shadow, which defines the weathered surfaces of the ruins without relying on heavy outlines. The artist focuses on the structural integrity of the remaining walls, capturing the texture of the masonry and the encroaching vegetation that had begun to reclaim the site.

Du Gardijn employs a light touch, typical of the period's topographical studies, where the goal was to record the appearance of a site with accuracy. The drawing functions as both a travel record and an exercise in perspective. By placing the carriage near the base of the ruins, the artist creates a clear spatial relationship between the viewer, the foreground activity, and the distant horizon. This work provides a glimpse into how seventeenth-century artists perceived the remnants of the Roman Empire, viewing them as both subjects for study and backdrops for daily life. The print captures the original tonal qualities of the wash, preserving the delicate balance between the architectural forms and the open, airy atmosphere of the Roman countryside.