Fantasy of an Ancient Bath 1755 - 1760

Giovanni Battista Piranesi made this ink and wash drawing on paper, a "Fantasy of an Ancient Bath." Piranesi was celebrated for his etchings of Roman architecture, and this drawing shares that interest. But instead of a faithful record, we see a free play of his imagination. The architecture is based on observed reality, but the composition is entirely fictional. The stark ink lines and grey washes create a dramatic scene of monumentality. Consider the labor involved in the original construction, how many workers, stonemasons, and artisans it would have taken to raise such immense structures. The drawing hints at the grandeur of a bygone era, but also perhaps a critique of contemporary society and the industrial production that was beginning to change the landscape of Europe. Piranesi's work challenges the distinction between fine art and craft, inviting us to consider the material, processes, and social context in understanding its full meaning.