This hillwascalled the Quirinal Hill inRomulus' honor, and for manyyears theRomansworshiped Romulus, the founder oftheircity, and their firstking from that very spot.
Denis's solidly constructed studies of clouds and hilly Italian landscapes washed in dusty light are irresistible, as are his "View on the Quirinal Hill, Rome" (1800) and "Fortified Wall, Italy" (c. 1786-1806), with their geometric architecture, bathed in afternoon sun, played against sky and foliage.