The Roman antiquities, t. 1, Plate XI. Urban Walls. 1756

This etching, "The Roman antiquities, t. 1, Plate XI. Urban Walls," is part of Giovanni Battista Piranesi's larger series of architectural engravings focusing on ancient Rome. Created in 1756, this detailed image presents a close-up view of a section of Roman wall, depicting a conduit for the Anione Vecchio, or "Old Anione" water system. Piranesi meticulously renders the brickwork and stonework, highlighting the structural details of the Roman city's infrastructure. This meticulous focus on architectural elements and their historical significance characterizes his work, which influenced subsequent generations of architects and artists with its emphasis on the grandeur of ancient Roman civilization.