A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Giovanni Giacomo de' Rossi documenting the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina and the Temple of Romulus in Rome.

This etching by Giovanni Giacomo de' Rossi depicts the Roman Forum, specifically focusing on the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina and the nearby Temple of Romulus. As a prominent publisher and printmaker in seventeenth-century Rome, de' Rossi produced numerous works documenting the city's classical ruins and ecclesiastical structures. His output provided contemporary travellers and scholars with a visual record of the archaeological state of Rome during the Baroque period.

The composition presents a clear, topographical view of the structures. On the left, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina is shown with its distinctive Corinthian columns and the inscription still visible on the architrave. To the right, the circular Temple of Romulus, which had been converted into the church of Santi Cosma e Damiano, occupies the foreground. The artist employs precise line work to define the architectural details, from the weathered stone surfaces to the structural elements of the porticos. Small figures, including a horse-drawn carriage and pedestrians, populate the foreground, providing a sense of scale against the massive ancient masonry.

De' Rossi's approach to this scene reflects the period's interest in antiquarianism. The print functions as both a document of the site and a piece of visual information for those unable to visit Rome in person. The inclusion of descriptive text at the base of the image identifies the buildings and provides historical context regarding their conversion and use. The work is characteristic of the print culture of the time, where technical skill in etching allowed for the mass dissemination of architectural knowledge. The clarity of the lines and the balanced arrangement of the buildings demonstrate the systematic documentation typical of de' Rossi's publishing house, which was instrumental in shaping the European perception of Roman antiquity.