Church of S. Maria in Vallicella, called the New Church, with its Oratory 1741 - 1748

Editor: This is Giovanni Battista Piranesi's print, "Church of S. Maria in Vallicella, called the New Church, with its Oratory," created between 1741 and 1748. It's an etching, a cityscape capturing the Baroque style. The detail is amazing, but there's almost a starkness to it, even though it's depicting a grand church. What feelings does this work evoke in you? Curator: Stark, yes, but I feel a certain vibrancy! Piranesi’s lines almost sing. Look how he uses them not just to depict architectural detail, but also to create atmosphere. It feels like you could step right into that Roman square, hear the echoes of footsteps and the murmur of voices. He wasn't just documenting buildings, he was building an experience. What do you make of the figures scattered about? Editor: They look quite small compared to the buildings, almost insignificant. Curator: Exactly! That contrast in scale… Is he glorifying human achievement or suggesting something about human insignificance within these imposing structures? Piranesi adored Rome, it’s in every scratch of his needle! This etching captures the drama, scale and spirit. How else does he bring that emotion to us, visually? Editor: I guess, the angle? It makes the church seem even more massive and powerful. Curator: And it hints at our perspective too! Makes us the adoring crowd! I like that you picked up on that feeling - a great demonstration of how we engage personally with art and what it has to show us about culture, history and of course, ourselves!