Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Column of Antoninus and a Roman Obelisk 1530 - 1580

This anonymous 16th-century engraving, "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Column of Antoninus and a Roman Obelisk," depicts two towering Roman monuments. The Column of Antoninus, a grand cylindrical structure, stands to the left, adorned with intricate carvings. To the right, a towering obelisk, a four-sided spire, reaches for the sky. The detailed depiction of the monuments, their setting, and the surrounding landscape highlights the artistic style of the Renaissance and the fascination with ancient Roman culture during that period. The engraving, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases the enduring appeal of Roman architecture and its influence on European art and thought.