Forum Romanum, for Mr Soane's Museum

One of the most important locations in Rome is the Forum, an area of ruined temples and monuments which represents the heart of the ancient city. Over the centuries, the Forum had been allowed to decay. By the nineteenth century, however, excavations had begun in earnest on the site and the broken fragments of Roman architecture were slowly re-emerging into the light. This painting, designed for the architect Sir John Soane, captures the view looking towards the Capitoline Hill. On the left is the Arch of Titus, and on the right, the giant vaults of the Basilica of Constantine.