ROME

Photographs printed
on stainless steel
with pearlescent paint Photographs printed on stainless steel with pearlescent paint

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.

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

FORUM
Rome, Italy, 2017

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

GLADIATOR
Rome, Italy, 2019

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

GALLERIA DE LA MITOLOGIA
Rome, Italy, 2019

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

TRIBUTE
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

ALTAR
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

SALA DEI RICORDI
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

VENUS DREAMS
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

THE BRINGER OF ECSTASIES
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

UNSEEN BEAUTY
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

IMPRISSA
Rome, Italy, 2019

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

ALBA
Rome, Italy, 2022

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

FORUM II
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

ROMA A MAGGIO
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

ANGELO
Rome, Italy, 2022

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

TEVERE II
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

PIAZZA SAN PIETRO
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

ECHOES OF TIME
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

AFTERNOON DELIGHT
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

PIAZZA DEL POPOLO
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

TEVERE
Rome, Italy, 2019

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

SUPERSCRIPTION
Rome, Italy, 2019

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

MASTERPIECE
Rome, Italy, 2010

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

BOLERO
Rome, Italy, 2010

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

ROSACE
Rome, Italy, 2010

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

NARRAZIONE
Rome, Italy, 2017

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

SCENARIO
Rome, Italy, 2017

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

DOLCE VITA
Rome, Italy, 2019

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

PROSPERO
Rome, Italy, 2019

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

IL VATICANO
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

DEVOTION
Rome, Italy, 2026

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

CABINET OF VENUS
Rome, Italy, 2019

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

LEGEND OF THE PAST
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

MOON GODDESS
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

RENAISSANCE
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

HERA
Rome, Italy, 2022

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

PROTETTORE
Rome, Italy, 2022

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

ABUNDANCE
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

BASILICA
Rome, Italy, 2010

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

ELICA
Rome, Italy, 2010

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

WINDOW TO THE PAST
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

ERIDITA
Rome, Italy, 2019

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

AGORA
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

PIAZZA NAVONA
Rome, Italy, 2010

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

AZALEE IN PRIMAVERA
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

FORO ROMANO II
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

ULTIMO FORUM
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

SOPHIA
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

CHROMATIC MOSAIC
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

INTERSECTION OF TIME
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

MOMENTI DI STORIA
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

JUPITER
Rome, Italy, 2022

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

BAROCCO
Rome, Italy, 2022

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

BORGHESE
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

AFRODITE DI SIRACUSA
Rome, Italy, 2022

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

LA DONNA DEI SERPENTI
Rome, Italy, 2022

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

MUSA POLYCHROMA
Rome, Italy, 2022

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

SERENITA
Rome, Italy, 2022

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

FORTUNA
Rome, Italy, 2022

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

VENERE E CUPIDON
Rome, Italy, 2022

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

VILLA DI LIVIA
Rome, Italy, 2026

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

INFINITE GARDEN
Rome, Italy, 2026

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

ROSA E CORALLO
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

TIME CAPSULE
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

PANTHEON I
Rome, Italy, 2019

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

PANTHEON II
Rome, Italy, 2019

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

PANTHEON III
Rome, Italy, 2019

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

PANTHEON IV
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

PANTHEON V
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

PANTHEON VII
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

TEMPLE
Rome, Italy, 2019

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

FELLINI
Rome, Italy, 2019

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

LA FURIA DEL CAVALO
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 24 in / 61 x 61 cm
40 x 40 in / 102 x 102 cm
48 x 48 in / 122 x 122 cm

ETERNAL CITY
Rome, Italy, 2017

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

LEGACY
Rome, Italy, 2026

36 x 24 in / 91 x 61 cm
60 x 40 in / 152 x 102 cm
72 x 48 in / 183 x 122 cm

ARCO DI COSTANTINO
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

TIME LAYERS
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

TEATRO DELLA MEMORIA
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

RAYS OF HISTORY
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

CONTEMPLAZIONE
Rome, Italy, 2026

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

AURORA
Rome, Italy, 2017

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

TWILIGHT SPECTRUM
Rome, Italy, 2026

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

THRESHOLD
Rome, Italy, 2026

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

SINFONIA DI LUCE
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

CENTURIES
Rome, Italy, 2026

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm

IRIDESCENT SKIES
Rome, Italy, 2026

24 x 36 in / 61 x 91 cm
40 x 60 in / 102 x 152 cm
48 x 72 in / 122 x 183 cm

ETERNA ROMA
Rome, Italy, 2022

24 x 48 in / 61 x 122 cm
40 x 80 in / 102 x 204 cm
48 x 96 in / 122 x 244 cm