The Roman antiquities, t. 3, Plate XXVI. View in perspective of a previous goal of the burial chamber (Drawing by Antonio Buonamici, inc. By Girolamo Rossi). 

This is Plate XXVI from Volume III of Giovanni Battista Piranesi’s “The Roman Antiquities,” an engraving made in the 18th century. Piranesi was known for his dramatic and theatrical style which captured the grandeur of Roman architecture but also hinted at the decline of the Roman empire. At the time of this print, the Grand Tour was popular, with wealthy Europeans traveling to Italy to experience its art and culture. Piranesi catered to this market, but his prints also served as a form of social commentary. The architecture is imposing, yet it's in ruins, and small figures are seen working amidst the decay. Here, the identity of the workers is implied as laborers, almost anonymous against the backdrop of ancient history, which begs the question: who builds, who profits, and who is remembered? Piranesi invites us to reflect on the transient nature of power and the often-unacknowledged labor that supports its construction. We are left to consider the echoes of the past and the silent stories of those who toiled in its shadow.