19th Century Oil on Canvas Painting of the Temple of Fortuna Virillis

A 19th Century Oil on Canvas Painting of the Temple of Fortuna Virillis.

Dating to the 19th century, the painting is of the ‘Temple of Fortuna Virillis, House of Rienzo, Rome’ as denoted on the reverse in pencil. The temple has since been identified as the Temple of Portunus, as during the time of this painting it was misidentified.

During the Middle Ages, the temple was converted to a Christian church dedicated to Santa Maria Egyziaca or Saint Mary of Egypt, which was the national church for the Armenian community in Rome.

At the time of the painting, the structure was being used as a church. In the early 20th century, the surrounding buildings were demolished, leaving the temple standing as one of the best preserved Roman structures in the world.

The temple is located on the modern Piazza della Bocca della Verità (Rione XII, Ripa). The view is taken from the south side of the structure looking at the sealed side of the temple. On each viewing, more of the paintings secrets are revealed, like figures walking into the distance and foliage breaking through the ancient rooftops.

A floral high relief outer frame with repeating fanned embellishments. The gilt frame steps down to the painting, drawing the eye into the scene.