View of the Roman Empire (Consummation of Empire) Playing Cards

This design features a painting by the Anglo-American artist Thomas Cole (1801–1848), who was the founder of the Hudson River School of art. The artwork is from a series of five paintings, collectively titled "The Course of Empire", which show the rise and fall of Roman civilisation. This image shows the Roman Empire at its height. Both sides of the river valley are covered in colonnaded marble structures with steps that run down into the water. There is a huge temple with an elegant dome, which dominates the river bank. A joyous crowd gathers on the balconies and terraces as a scarlet-robed king or victorious general crosses the bridge connecting the two sides of the river in a triumphant procession. In the foreground, water can be seen gushing from an elaborate fountain.