Elmo and the bronze gladiator 

This print by Giovanni Battista Piranesi depicts a bronze helmet, recovered from the ruins of Pompeii, dating to around 1778. Piranesi was fascinated by Roman antiquity, and he used etching—a printmaking technique that requires skill and precision—to capture its grandeur. The original helmet would have been hammered and embossed. Craftspeople would have heated the bronze, shaped it with hammers, and then chased the details from the front with specialized tools. The scenes across the helmet, depicting gladiatorial combat and mythical figures, speak to the importance of spectacle and mythology in Roman culture. Piranesi's print preserves the helmet, highlighting its intricate details and craftsmanship. The etched lines capture the textures and forms of the original bronze, allowing viewers to appreciate the artistry of both the Roman craftsperson who made the helmet, and that of Piranesi himself. Both testify to the power of skilled handwork and the enduring allure of antiquity.