Temple of Minerva Medica near Porta Maggiore 1741 - 1748

This etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, created between 1741 and 1748, depicts the Temple of Minerva Medica near Porta Maggiore in Rome. Piranesi was known for his captivating depictions of ancient Roman ruins, often utilizing dramatic lighting and exaggerated perspectives to evoke a sense of grandeur and decay. This particular print captures the haunting beauty of the temple, its once-majestic structure now overgrown with vegetation and partially collapsed. Piranesi's etching invites the viewer to contemplate the passage of time and the enduring legacy of ancient Rome.