In the red light of the setting sun the Campagna di Roma extends before the city walls. Hackert, at the time court painter in Naples, shows the characteristic and fascinating plain from the antique Via Appia. The flat landscape, which attracted many artists, was populated primarily by shepherds. The image leads the eye far across the historical ruins, the medieval towers, antique aqueducts up to the dome of Saint Peter’s in the background, which showed travellers the way.