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

Giovanni Battista Piranesi's 1756 etching, "The Roman antiquities, t. 1, Plate XX. Ponte Rotto.", depicts the ruins of the Ponte Rotto, a bridge in Rome. The detailed etching uses a dramatic perspective to show the crumbling arches and pillars of the ancient bridge. Piranesi's work is notable for its accurate depiction of Roman ruins and its ability to convey the grandeur of the ancient world. This etching, part of his famous "Roman Antiquities" series, highlights the evocative power of ruins and their ability to inspire contemplation of the passage of time.