Gezicht op de piramide van Cestius 1627 - 1655

Nicolas Perelle created this print, "View of the Pyramid of Cestius," sometime in the 17th century. During this period, Europe was captivated by antiquity, particularly the allure of Rome and Egypt. Perelle, though French, illustrates Rome’s Pyramid of Cestius, a tomb built around 18-12 BC. This image reflects the period's fascination with appropriating and reinterpreting historical symbols. What’s interesting here is the portrayal of an Egyptian pyramid, an emblem of an ancient culture, juxtaposed within a Roman landscape, and then rendered by a French artist. The etching presents a romanticized, pastoral view with shepherds and their flock, almost indifferent to the grandeur of the ancient structure. In this way, the piece seems to diminish the original intent of the pyramid as a symbol of power and afterlife, transforming it into a picturesque element. The crumbling walls and overgrown landscape evoke a sense of time's passage and the transience of human endeavor.