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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel

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
Original photograph, archival ink, silver pigment, finely milled 24 karat gold and varnish on stainless steel