Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius 

Here is an engraving of the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, made by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in eighteenth-century Italy. The image depicts the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius on horseback, a symbol of imperial power and authority. Piranesi's print emphasizes the statue's grandeur through dramatic lighting and detailed rendering, playing into the period’s fascination with classical antiquity. Made during the height of the Grand Tour, this print catered to the market for historical and classically inspired artworks. The original statue has an interesting institutional history. Representing a pagan emperor, it was spared destruction during the Middle Ages because it was mistaken for a Christian emperor, Constantine. Today, art historians consult a wide range of resources, including archival documents and social histories, to understand the complex interplay between art, power, and cultural identity. The meaning and value of artworks are not fixed, but are always contingent on the social and institutional contexts in which they are created, circulated, and received.