Ancient Roman Relics The Roman Forum
- Hirayama Ikuo
- 2008
- Color on Paper (Japanese Style Painting, Nihonga)
- 171.0×364.0cm
There are two pieces of works depicting relics of ancient Rome – the last two pieces of the “Great Silk Road” series – are displayed in the large exhibition hall on the second floor of the museum. The work depicts the Roman Forum, the political and economic center of ancient Roman Empire. The ancient relics are the records of the glory and prosperity of all dynasties. The big marble gate in the center of the painting is the Arch of Septimius Severus. Under the blue sky are the first Roman emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus and the Roman forces he leads. Seeing the relics of the theater which was built in the 3rd century B.C. and was capable of seating 25,000 audiences, we can also imagine its prosperity then.