Fourth side of the pedestal of the same column 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this etching, "Fourth side of the pedestal of the same column," during a time when Europe was rediscovering its classical past. Piranesi, though, wasn’t just documenting history; he was actively reimagining it through the lens of his own experiences. In this print, we see a detailed relief, seemingly from an ancient Roman monument. Look closely, and you’ll notice a chaotic scene of conflict, shields clashing, and figures locked in combat. Piranesi isn’t presenting a straightforward historical record. Instead, he conveys the drama and intensity of ancient battles. The artist’s interest in ruins reflects a broader 18th-century fascination with the past, but also a recognition of its fragmented and imperfect state. Piranesi’s Rome is one of grand monuments but also of decay, prompting us to reflect on themes of power, time, and the narratives we construct about history. What stories do these ruins tell, and whose voices are amplified or silenced in the process?