The Roman antiquities, t. 1, Plate XIX 1756

Giovanni Battista Piranesi made this etching, titled *The Roman Antiquities*, in 18th-century Italy. Piranesi, trained as an architect, became famous for his dramatic and detailed views of Roman ruins. This image reflects a growing interest in classical antiquity during the Enlightenment. But Piranesi wasn't just documenting history; he was also shaping it. His prints, circulated widely, influenced the perception of Rome as a grand, yet decaying, empire. Note the contrast between the monumental scale of the ruins and the tiny figures in the foreground. Is Piranesi making a comment on human achievement or the transience of power? The meticulous detail, combined with the romantic depiction of decay, speaks to the complex relationship between the past and present. Art historians consult a variety of sources—from archaeological reports to travelogues—to understand the cultural context of works like this. Piranesi's etchings remind us that our view of history is always mediated, constructed through the lens of the present.