Arch of Nero

"Arch of Nero" is an evocative oil on canvas painting created in 1846 by American artist Thomas Cole. As a prominent example of Romanticism, it features a dramatic landscape that reflects Cole's fascination with history, decay, and imperial grandeur. The artwork alludes to the fall of the Roman republic and criticizes contemporary American political corruption by depicting figures adorned with patriotic colors. Originally housed at The Newark Museum of Art, the piece was sold for nearly $1 million at Sotheby’s in 2021 and is now on loan at the Mint Museum, following a private collection purchase aimed at keeping it accessible to the public.