Obelisco Egizio 1759

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this etching of an Egyptian obelisk in Rome. Considered through a social lens, this image speaks volumes about 18th-century European attitudes toward antiquity. Piranesi, working in Italy, capitalizes on the vogue for classical themes, but with a twist. The Egyptian obelisk, replete with hieroglyphs, becomes a symbol of exoticism, brought to Rome by its emperors as trophies of conquest. The print highlights Rome's appropriation of ancient cultures, reflecting contemporary imperial ambitions. By etching not just the monument but its urban context, Piranesi asks viewers to consider the layers of history and power embedded in the city. Understanding this image requires research into the Grand Tour, the history of collecting, and the politics of representation. Through such avenues, we begin to understand art as a product and reflection of its time, shaped by prevailing social and institutional forces.