The Roman antiquities, t. 1, Plate XVI. Temple of Minerva Medica. 1756

"The Roman Antiquities, t. 1, Plate XVI. Temple of Minerva Medica" is an etching created by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in 1756. This print, part of his "Roman Antiquities" series, depicts the ruined Temple of Minerva Medica, a Roman temple dedicated to the goddess of medicine, in a dramatic and evocative manner. Piranesi, known for his masterful use of light and shadow, emphasizes the crumbling grandeur of the structure, capturing the details of its arches, columns, and overgrown walls, leaving a lasting impression of Roman history and its impermanence.