Palatium Maius Ro, from a Series of 24 Depicting (Reconstructed) Buildings from Roman Antiquity 1530 - 1550

This etching shows a reconstructed image of the Palatium Maius in Rome, part of a series of twenty-four such images made by an anonymous artist. Prints like these played a crucial role in shaping the reception of classical antiquity. In a time before photography, printed images were the primary means through which classical architecture and design were disseminated across Europe. The level of detail suggests a scholarly interest in accurately conveying the look of the original structure. But we should remember that, as a "reconstruction," this image reflects the biases of its own time, likely the 16th or 17th century. The social conditions that shaped this artwork include a growing interest in classical learning, especially among elite classes and artists. Institutions like the Accademia di San Luca and the French Academy in Rome played a role in promoting a “correct” classical style. To understand this print better, we might look at archaeological records from the time it was made, comparing those with the kind of artistic license on display here. Doing so can tell us a lot about the social and institutional factors at play in shaping historical memory.