Vedute di Roma 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created "Vedute di Roma" as part of a series of prints capturing the grandeur of Rome's architecture. Piranesi, working in the 18th century, was deeply influenced by the Enlightenment's interest in classical antiquity. Piranesi's Rome is both a celebration and a critique. Through his dramatic perspectives and contrasts of light and shadow, he highlights the city's architectural achievements. Yet the inclusion of everyday figures brings into focus questions of class and society. Piranesi masterfully captures the emotional weight of history, inviting us to ponder the passage of time and the layers of human experience embedded within these ancient stones. In creating these prints Piranesi offered views of Rome that were both documentary and imaginative, shaping the way the city was perceived by his contemporaries and continues to be seen today.