Lot 66: ANTONIO DEL DRAGO (LATE 18TH CENTURY) The Arch of Titus,

ANTONIO DEL DRAGO (LATE 18TH CENTURY) The Arch of Titus, signed "ANTONIO/DEL/DRAGO" (centre right) and inscribed "SENATVS/POPVLVSQUE ROMANV/DIVO TITO DIVI VESPASIANI/VESPASIANO AVGVSTO" (centre). Watercolour heightened with white on paper laid down on canvas, 104 by 66.5 cm.
The present lot shows the Arch of Titus, part of a series of triumphal arches which were erected in Rome to celebrate the most important Emperors. As is written on the inscription of the arch, it was built by the Roman Senate (SENATVS POPVLVSQUE ROMANVS...), in the south-east of the Roman Forum, to commemorate Emperor Titus, after his death in 80 AD.

In the 18th century, Rome was one of the favourite destinations of the grand tourists thanks to its evocative ancient ruins and it attracted many artists too. The arch of Titus inspired artists such as Antonio del Drago, Piranesi (1720-1778) and Canaletto (1697-1768).

The present lot is a beautiful depiction of the arch before its restoration in 1822, completed by the architect Giuseppe Valadier (1762-1839).