Rome
AA-2026-552BB7
On the image
Visiting the Trevi Fountain in Rome during the 1970s often meant engaging in the serious business of proving you were there, a task requiring dedicated equipment. A man in a striking red polo shirt stands ready with his camera, a device engineered to capture momentary validation of a long journey.
His companion, in a bright yellow top and patterned scarf, maintains a careful pose, ensuring her likeness will be recorded alongside the ancient statuary. Her direct gaze suggests a practised understanding of the camera's demands, a silent agreement to participate in the documentation of the moment.
All around them, the enormous marble figures of Oceanus and his retinue continue their dramatic tableau, utterly oblivious to the human compulsion to collect visual souvenirs. The water cascades perpetually, demonstrating a commitment to its function that transcends transient tourist trends.
The historian's note
The image depicts the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) in Rome, Italy, a globally recognised Baroque landmark. Construction of the fountain, designed by Nicola Salvi and completed by Giuseppe Pannini, began in 1732 and concluded in 1762.
It is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and a prominent example of 18th-century Roman architecture. The fountain famously depicts Oceanus, the god of water, riding a shell-shaped chariot pulled by sea horses, flanked by Tritons.
The Trevi Fountain is a major tourist attraction, renowned for the tradition of visitors throwing coins into its waters to ensure a return to Rome, and for its iconic appearances in films such as 'La Dolce Vita'.
Subjects & keywords — each links to a search
Visually related — by likeness
Trevi Fountain Tourists, Rome, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-552BB7. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/trevi-fountain-tourists-rome-1970s.
@misc{aaAA2026552BB7,
title = {Trevi Fountain Tourists, Rome, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-552BB7},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/trevi-fountain-tourists-rome-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Trevi Fountain Tourists, Rome, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-552BB7 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/trevi-fountain-tourists-rome-1970s ER -
From the community
Identifications, corrections, and discussion from readers — reviewed by a librarian before appearing here.
Sign in to add an identification, correction, or comment.
No notes yet — be the first to add what you know about this image.