Palatijn te Rome 1575

Étienne Dupérac made this print of the Palatine Hill in Rome using etching techniques, sometime before his death in 1601. The image captures a landscape of classical ruins overtaken by nature, a popular genre in 16th-century Europe that reflects a fascination with antiquity and its decay. Prints like this played a vital role in shaping cultural perceptions of Rome. They catered to a growing market of collectors and tourists eager to acquire visual records of famous sites. This print flattens the hill, accentuating the picturesque qualities of the ruins while downplaying any evidence of modern life. The image, thus, presents a carefully constructed view that highlights the grandeur of the past. For a deeper understanding, explore the patronage networks and printmaking workshops of the time, and consider how these images contributed to the construction of a shared European cultural identity rooted in classical heritage.