The Ponte Solario

The Ponte Solario, constructed in the fourth century B.C., is one of the oldest of Roman bridges. It spans the river Aniene near its confluence with the Tiber, at a location just north of Rome. The bridge underwent numerous transformations which are well chronicled. The crenellated tower serving as a tollhouse in Robert’s time was a medieval addition to the bridge. In this composition Robert was inspired by the example of Piranesi, whose etching of the bridge was executed in the mid-0750s.

In the history of the veduta, bridges were seen as “‘emblematic of the passage of life.” Robert exploited the motif throughout his career. He produced two versions of The Ponte Solario, the other version, executed in 1783, being in a private collection.