This new original watercolour of the Pantheon in Rome forms part of my forthcoming exhibition. It’s at the Lit and Phil Library starting 6th July. The Pantheon is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Rome. It was commissioned by Marcus Agrippa about the time of the Bible’s Book of Acts. Agrippa’s inscription can be seen on the portico which always reminds me of Acts chapters 25-26 where the Apostle Paul is brought before King Agrippa to be tried. So convincing was Paul’s witness of Jesus Christ that even Agrippa said to Paul “You almost persuade me to become Christian”. Chapter 26 verse 28.
I’ve been to Rome a couple of times since my first visit back in 1998 as part of the process of getting reference for my paintings of Italy. Each time I’ve managed to paint a number of watercolours on location. In this particular 14″ x 10″ I’ve tried to retain the freshness of those painted plein air. I plan to keep the brush marks direct and relatively loose compared to my usual studio paintings.