View of main facade of the Antonine column, in six tables 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi made this etching called "View of the Main Facade of the Antonine Column" sometime before 1778. Piranesi was an Italian artist known for his prints of Roman architecture, both real and imagined. Here, the meticulous detail and dramatic perspective create a sense of grandeur, but also beg questions about the politics of architectural representation in 18th century Italy. Piranesi was invested in archaeology and the scientific study of ancient buildings. He saw the remains of Rome as evidence of its former glory and printed many views of Rome to encourage its revival. The print invites a closer look at its historical context through access to archival materials, architectural treatises, and the social history of 18th-century Rome. These resources contextualize the print and illuminate its meanings.