ÉTIENNE RAFFORT (Chalon-sur-Saône, 1802–Gergy, 1880) THE FORO BORBONICO OR FORO ITALICO, PALERMO Watercolour and ink Signed and dated in the lower left-hand corner “E Raffort. 1832.” Slightly sun-faded and with small spots Foro Italico, ink and watercolour, signed and dated, slightly sun-faded and with small spots VISIBLE AREA: 29 x 40.50 CM - 11.42 x 15.94 IN The Foro Italico dates back to 1582, when Viceroy Marcantonio Colonna had a footpath built along the seafront. It quickly became a popular place for strolls amongst the Palermo aristocracy in the 17th and 18th centuries. Originally called the Foro Borbonico or Siciliano, the park was renamed the Foro Italico in the 20th century following Italian unification. It was largely destroyed during the Second World War. This work notably depicts the royal statues of the kings of the House of Bourbon, which stood on high pedestals near the Porta Felice.