Germanicus in the guise of Mercury 

This etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, known for his architectural illustrations, portrays the Roman general Germanicus in the guise of Mercury. The image depicts a standing figure in the nude, a common classical motif. Germanicus is holding a caduceus, a symbol of Mercury, god of commerce, travel, and communication. This artwork exemplifies Piranesi's keen interest in Roman antiquity and his skill in rendering the human form in a classicizing style. The inscription below highlights the artwork's association with a statue of Germanicus located in a villa near Rome.