Pyramid of Gaius Cestius near Porta S. Paolo 1741 - 1748

"Pyramid of Gaius Cestius near Porta S. Paolo" is an etching created by Giovanni Battista Piranesi between 1741 and 1748. Piranesi was a renowned Italian artist and architect known for his detailed and dramatic depictions of ancient Roman ruins. This print, housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, showcases the pyramid of Gaius Cestius, a Roman mausoleum, in a picturesque setting with nearby buildings and foliage. Piranesi's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that contrasts light and shadow, adds depth and visual interest to the composition, making the artwork a captivating representation of Roman antiquity.