ROME

Photograph printed
on stainless steel Photograph printed on stainless steel
Project Description

Rome is called Caput Mundi—the capital of the world. Capitals of the world are cherished in Nicolas Ruel’s visual journey through his interpretation that not only blends architecture, monuments and landscapes together, but also illustrates the heritage of these temples of History. His bold, innovative and singular approach to the resulting images becomes the rebirth of unconventional storytelling through a timeless crusade.

With a clear identity established in his photographic practice, Ruel combines and juxtaposes with his signature double exposure technique not only images, but different layers of myths and legends. Playing with contradictions between historical and modern, from the great significance of legacy and established traditions to the importance of historical heritage, every city is an archeological study of representation. His series reflects the symbolist chronicles underlining the importance of every capital in the world, their roots and their styles from Neoclassical to Baroque, from Ancient History until today.

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In Ruel’s Rome project, which spans over ten years, we are invited to discover—and rediscover—The Eternal City under new angles and interpret a substratum. From the Vatican, the Pantheon and the Colosseum to landmarks and addresses like the Trevi Fountain, the Via Condotti and the Piazza del Campidoglio, the most iconic buildings, statues and streets become timeless masterpieces that reveal unexpected and buried details of the City of Illusions.

Playing with proportions, geometry, light and motion, Ruel turns our attention to subtle and delicate details that form a narrative, from the polychromy of the Carrara marble found in the seven hills’ legendary neighborhoods to the uneven charm of Rome’s cobblestone streets and alleys, decorative motifs and Latin engravings. After the Spanish Steps, the Vatican’s double helix staircase, the statues of Oceanus and the Tritons, Bernini’s masterpieces and Borromini’s prospettiva, we uncover the Pantheon’s checkerboard floor contrasting with the concentric circles of the square coffers of the famous dome, which can be perceived as a reminder of both the historical teachings drawn from the pages of Roman records and also of pop culture imagery, including the virtuosity of Italian Arts masters and cinematographic backdrops from Fellini’s cult movies like Roma and La Dolce Vita, whose unforgettable scenes feature icons of cinema. Past and present are connected with visual memories of an impalpable atmosphere and intangible beauty that stir emotions in viewers. As if all roads lead to Rome…

– Thierry-Maxime Loriot
TEVERE

TEVERE
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

ANGELO

ANGELO
Rome, Italy, 2019

60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm  edition of 5
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm  edition of 1

45 x 30 in / 114 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

CABINET OF VENUS

CABINET OF VENUS
Rome, Italy, 2019

60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm  edition of 5
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm  edition of 1

45 x 30 in / 114 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

SUPERSCRIPTION

SUPERSCRIPTION
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

GLADIATOR

GLADIATOR
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

GALERIA DE LA MITOLOGIA

GALERIA DE LA MITOLOGIA
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

FINZIONE

FINZIONE
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm  edition of 5
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm  edition of 1

30 x 60 in / 76 x 152 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates, diptych)

IMPRISSA

IMPRISSA
Rome, Italy, 2019

60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm  edition of 5
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm  edition of 1

45 x 30 in / 114 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

TORSO DI DISCOBOLO

TORSO DI DISCOBOLO
Rome, Italy, 2019

60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm  edition of 5
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm  edition of 1

45 x 30 in / 114 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

OCEANO

OCEANO
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

ALBA

ALBA
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

ILLUSIONE

ILLUSIONE
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

ICONOGRAFIA

ICONOGRAFIA
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm  edition of 5
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm  edition of 1

30 x 60 in / 76 x 152 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates, diptych)

FORUM

FORUM
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm  edition of 5
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm  edition of 1

30 x 60 in / 76 x 152 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates, diptych)

EREDITÀ

EREDITÀ
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm  edition of 5
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm  edition of 1

30 x 60 in / 76 x 152 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates, diptych)

COLOSSEO

COLOSSEO
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm  edition of 5
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm  edition of 1

30 x 60 in / 76 x 152 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates, diptych)

STELLA DEI GIOCHI

STELLA DEI GIOCHI
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

ERA

ERA
Rome, Italy, 2010

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

TEMPIO DI SATURNO

TEMPIO DI SATURNO
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

AGORA

AGORA
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm  edition of 5
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm  edition of 1

30 x 60 in / 76 x 152 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates, diptych)

AURORA

AURORA
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

PIAZZA NAVONA

PIAZZA NAVONA
Rome, Italy, 2010

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

VIA DEL CORSO

VIA DEL CORSO
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

TREVI

TREVI
Rome, Italy, 2010

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

FELLINI

FELLINI
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

DOLCE VITA

DOLCE VITA
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm  edition of 5
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm  edition of 1

30 x 60 in / 76 x 152 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates, diptych)

IMPERATOR

IMPERATOR
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

ZEUS

ZEUS
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

VIA DEI CONDOTTI

VIA DEI CONDOTTI
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

PIAZZA DI SPAGNA

PIAZZA DI SPAGNA
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

SPANISH STEPS

SPANISH STEPS
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

VATICANO

VATICANO
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm  edition of 5
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm  edition of 1

30 x 60 in / 76 x 152 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates, diptych)

ROSACE

ROSACE
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

BOLERO

BOLERO
Rome, Italy, 2010

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

ELICA

ELICA
Rome, Italy, 2010

60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm  edition of 5
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm  edition of 1

45 x 30 in / 114 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

A CAPPELLA

A CAPPELLA
Rome, Italy, 2010

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

RIVELARE

RIVELARE
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm  edition of 5
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm  edition of 1

30 x 60 in / 76 x 152 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates, diptych)

CONCILIAZIONE

CONCILIAZIONE
Rome, Italy, 2019

60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm  edition of 5
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm  edition of 1

45 x 30 in / 114 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

AELIUS

AELIUS
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm  edition of 5
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm  edition of 1

30 x 60 in / 76 x 152 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates, diptych)

ANGELI I

ANGELI I
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

ANGELI II

ANGELI II
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

LA STELLA DI NETTUNO

LA STELLA DI NETTUNO
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

FUSIONE

FUSIONE
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

THEORIA

THEORIA
Rome, Italy, 2017

60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm  edition of 5
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm  edition of 1

45 x 30 in / 114 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

IDEOLOGIA

IDEOLOGIA
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

LA LEÇON

LA LEÇON
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

PRESENZA

PRESENZA
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

NARRAZIONE

NARRAZIONE
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

SCENARIO

SCENARIO
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm  edition of 5
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm  edition of 1

30 x 60 in / 76 x 152 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates, diptych)

MITOLOGIA

MITOLOGIA
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm  edition of 5
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm  edition of 1

30 x 45 in / 76 x 114 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

PROSPERO

PROSPERO
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

TEMPLE

TEMPLE
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

PANTHEON I

PANTHEON I
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

PANTHEON II

PANTHEON II
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

PANTHEON III

PANTHEON III
Rome, Italy, 2019

40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm  edition of 5
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm  edition of 1

30 x 30 in / 76 x 76 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates)

ETERNAL CITY

ETERNAL CITY
Rome, Italy, 2017

40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm  edition of 5
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm  edition of 1

30 x 60 in / 76 x 152 cm  edition of 5 (24 karats gold plates, diptych)