Two marble friezes, one with griffons and the other with a putto amid swags of fruit 1769 - 1778

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this print of two marble friezes sometime in the 18th century, amidst the burgeoning rediscovery of classical antiquity. Piranesi, who was both an architect and an engraver, captures the ornate designs with precision, reflecting the period's fascination with Roman aesthetics and the revival of classical forms. The two friezes, one adorned with griffons and the other with a putto amidst swags of fruit, invite us to consider the symbolic language of power and innocence. These images were not merely decorative; they were statements about cultural identity and historical legacy. Piranesi’s work gives us a glimpse into the visual culture of his time, when the rediscovery of antiquity fueled both artistic creation and a re-imagining of European identity. These friezes evoke a sense of nostalgia for a glorious past, and remind us of the stories societies tell themselves through art.