The Roman antiquities, t. 1, Plate XXII. Temple of Cybele. 1756

This etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, from 1756, depicts the ruins of the Temple of Cybele in Rome. Piranesi, known for his dramatic depictions of Roman ruins, meticulously captures the grandeur and decay of the ancient structure. The viewer is drawn to the towering columns, their intricate carvings partially obscured by time and neglect. The etching's dramatic use of light and shadow, characteristic of Piranesi's style, further enhances the sense of awe and melancholic beauty found in the ruins.