The Piazza Navona, Rome, above the ruins of the Circus of Domitian, the Church of Sant' Agnese to the right, Bernini's fountain in the centre, from the 'Vedute di Roma' (Views of Rome) 1760 - 1778

Giovanni Battista Piranesi etched this view of the Piazza Navona in Rome, capturing its vibrant life and imposing structures. Dominating the scene is the ancient obelisk, a symbol of power stretching back to Egyptian sun worship, later repurposed by the Romans and the Church. Notice how Piranesi positions the obelisk centrally, drawing our eye upwards. This echoes its original function as a link between the earthly and the divine. Think of similar vertical monuments across cultures, from the ziggurats of Mesopotamia to the Gothic spires of medieval cathedrals, all reaching towards the heavens. The obelisk in Piazza Navona stands atop Bernini's Fountain of Four Rivers, a dynamic display of human mastery over nature. Yet, the obelisk’s stoic presence reminds us of the cyclical nature of civilizations. The emotional weight carried by this symbol is palpable; it's a silent witness to the ebb and flow of history. It embodies both triumph and the inevitable passage of time.