View of the Arch of Septimius Severus 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this etching of the Arch of Septimius Severus. The Arch is presented in stark monochrome, with the monument's imposing structure dominating the composition. Piranesi’s cross-hatching creates a rich texture, emphasizing the ruinous yet grand state of the architecture. Piranesi masterfully employs the contrast between light and shadow to convey a sense of depth, with the intricate carvings and the rough texture of the stone brought into sharp relief. This dramatic interplay is not just aesthetic; it serves to articulate the sublime, a key concept in eighteenth-century thought. The sublime is all about experiencing awe and terror. The figures at the base are dwarfed by the structure, creating a clear relationship between the past and the present. Piranesi uses architecture to invite us to reflect on history, power, and the passage of time. The engraving offers a stage on which viewers can contemplate the symbolic weight of classical forms and engage in an ongoing interpretation of cultural and philosophical ideas.