Gezicht op de ruïne van het Mausoleum van Augustus te Rome c. 1700 - 1710

This is an anonymous engraving of the Mausoleum of Augustus in Rome. Consider the layers of history embedded in this image. Once a symbol of imperial power, the Mausoleum is shown here in a state of ruin. It’s a powerful statement about the transience of power and the inevitable decay of even the most formidable structures. The image can be seen as a reflection on cultural memory and identity. What does it mean for a society when its monuments crumble? How do we reconcile the grandeur of the past with the realities of the present? Consider the emotional weight of witnessing such a transformation, and how this image invites us to contemplate the cyclical nature of history.