The Roman antiquities, t. 1, Plate XX. Ponte Rotto. 1756

Giovanni Battista Piranesi etched "Ponte Rotto" to show an architectural study of the remains of the ancient Pons Senatorius. The print is dominated by the massive forms of the ruined bridge, rendered with meticulous detail and a dramatic contrast between light and shadow. The structure, viewed from a low angle, seems to loom over the viewer. Piranesi’s use of deeply etched lines not only defines the textures of the stone and brickwork but also evokes a sense of decay and the passage of time. The bridge is not just a representation of a physical structure, but also a statement on the transience of human achievements and the inevitable triumph of nature. In this interplay between architectural grandeur and decay, the work challenges fixed notions of beauty and permanence. It invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between past and present, structure and ruin. This challenges established meanings and invites us to interpret.