Capriccio Of Rome

Capriccio of Rome, the churches of Santa Maria del Sole, Santa Maria Egiziaca and a triumphal arch. Drawing, watercolour, pen and ink. Unsigned, late 18th century, 44 x 59 cm, with frame (old) 51 x 66 cm. The churches mentioned are located in Piazza Bocca della Verità, near the famous sculpture La Bocca della Verità, which is located in the portico of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, also in this square. In ancient Rome, this square was called the Forum Boarium (cattle market).
The round Temple of Hercules Victor from the 2nd century BC (often wrongly referred to as the Temple of Vesta) and the Temple of Portunus from the 1st century BC were transformed into churches in the Middle Ages, respectively Santa Maria del Sole and Santa Maria Egiziaca, and were thus preserved. At the beginning of the 19th century, work was undertaken to restore both temples to their original state. The watercolour shows the situation before this restoration. The ancient roof of the Temple of Hercules has however been lost. It is known that an unknown round temple was demolished under the pontificate of Pope Sixtus V at the end of the 16th century. The other Roman buildings had already disappeared in the Middle Ages, when the square was invaded by small shops. Because of its round shape, the Temple of Hercules Victor is often wrongly referred to as the Temple of Vesta. This was indeed a round temple, but it was located a little further away on the Roman Forum, near the House of the Vestals. The round temple of the Forum Boarium is officially called the Temple of Hercules Victor Olivarius. This is evident from an inscription which states that a certain M. Octavius Hernnus had the temple built at the end of the 2nd century BC and dedicated it to the patron god of the oil merchants' guild (oleari), Hercules Victor Olivarius. The round cella of the temple is surrounded by twenty Corinthian columns. Inside there was probably once a cult statue, but unfortunately it has been lost. The Temple of Portunus was erected in honour of Portunus, the Roman god of ports. In ancient times there was also an important port here, the Portus Tiberinus (of the Tiber). From here, Portunus could watch over the ships carrying goods arriving from Ostia.