The artwork, titled “Ancient Ruins Used as Public Baths,” was created by the artist Hubert Robert in 1798. Belonging to the Rococo art movement, this piece embodies the genre of capriccio and possesses dimensions of 133 x 194 cm. It is presently housed at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
This profound painting captures an imaginative scene where ancient architectural ruins are repurposed as public baths. The composition highlights grand, deteriorating arches and columns juxtaposed with elements of daily life, such as figures bathing and attending to their necessities. The artist skillfully uses light and shadow to evoke a sense of depth and historical reverence. A centrally placed fountain adds to the scene’s dynamic, creating a focal point amidst the classical architecture. This painting reflects Hubert Robert’s expertise in combining fragments of reality with imaginative reconstruction, quintessential of the capriccio genre, thus evoking a dreamlike vision of antiquity brought to life.
