Side View of the Temple of Juno 

This is Giovanni Battista Piranesi’s “Side View of the Temple of Juno,” an etching made in 18th century Italy. Piranesi was known for his dramatic and imaginative views of ancient Roman ruins. The Temple of Juno, with its imposing columns and crumbling structure, is a testament to the passage of time and the decline of classical civilization. The temple is shown not as a pristine monument, but as a ruin, inhabited by ordinary people and animals. In this way, Piranesi’s etching invites us to reflect on the relationship between the past and the present. It prompts questions such as: what do we learn when institutions crumble? How do the ruins affect those who live among them? To understand Piranesi’s work more fully, scholars have looked to sources such as architectural treatises, historical accounts, and archaeological reports. These resources have been used to explore the cultural and intellectual context in which Piranesi worked, shedding light on the social and institutional forces that shaped his vision.