Lot 85
  • 85

Simon-Joseph-Alexandre-Clément Denis Antwerp 1755 - 1813 Naples

Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Simon-Joseph-Alexandre-Clément Denis
  • A view of the Baths of Caracalla, Rome, with two figures in the foreground
  • signed and inscribed in ink on the verso Les Termes de Caracalla peint apres Nature a Rome / Sn D...
    inscribed above in pencil Peintre Flamand du XVIII / Mort à Naples en 1813. Les / tableux sont au Musée du Louvre / de Compiègne / d'Anvers (Belgique) / de Montpellier
  • oil on paper

Catalogue Note

The Baths of Caracalla, the second largest bath complex in Rome, were built in the early 3rd century by the emperor Caracalla. The extensive complex covered almost 33 acres and held up to 1,600 bathers. In addition to the hot and cold public baths, there were two public libraries, a gymnasium for practicing boxing and wrestling, an indoor swimming pool, an extensive garden, and several multi-purpose halls. The sumptuously decorated leisure center was in use up until the aqueducts that fed the baths were cut in the 6th century by Genseric the Vandal. The impressive ruins still stand today.