The Roman antiquities, t. 3, Plate L. Plan and construction details of the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella. 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi etched this plate of the Tomb of Cecilia Metella as part of his series on Roman antiquities. Made in Rome, this print reflects the 18th-century fascination with the grandeur of Roman history. Piranesi presents the tomb through architectural plans and elevations, emphasizing its structural integrity, while also acknowledging its ruinous state. His meticulous detail speaks to the era’s emerging field of archeology and the desire to systematically document and understand the past. We see not only the building’s original design, but its state after centuries of neglect and pillaging. Piranesi's work also suggests the institutional frameworks through which history is understood, as it appeals to a growing scholarly and aristocratic audience interested in collecting antiquities and commissioning grand tours. To fully appreciate Piranesi's work, scholars consult architectural treatises, historical accounts, and the prints themselves, examining how the past is selectively preserved and presented through cultural institutions. By exploring these resources, we come to understand the complex interplay between historical fact, artistic interpretation, and cultural values.