View of the Piazza Navona above the ruins of the Circus of Domitian, with the Church of Santa Agnese on the left and Bernini's fountain in the middle ground 1773

This print by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, made in 18th-century Italy, presents a bird’s-eye view of Rome’s Piazza Navona. But it’s more than just a pretty picture. Piranesi was fascinated by the layers of history embedded in Rome’s urban landscape. Here, he highlights the juxtaposition of ancient ruins and Baroque architecture. The Piazza Navona was built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, and Piranesi draws attention to this historical layering by including a view of the ruins beneath the piazza. We can see the grand monuments of Papal Rome – the church of Sant’Agnese and Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers. Piranesi's detailed etchings, often commissioned by wealthy tourists, played a key role in shaping perceptions of Rome. His work romanticized the past, but it also commented on the power structures that shaped the city, old and new. Understanding this print fully requires a dive into the social, political, and economic history of 18th-century Rome. We can consult maps, architectural plans, and guidebooks from the period to reconstruct Piranesi’s world and appreciate the layers of meaning he embedded in his art.