Antique vase of marble representing the feats of Hercules, with the base representing a coffin 

This engraving by Giovanni Battista Piranesi presents an antique marble vase depicting the feats of Hercules, its base shaped like a coffin. Piranesi was working in 18th century Italy, a time when the rediscovery of classical antiquity was shaping artistic and intellectual life. The image presents a powerful commentary on the nature of heroism and mortality. Hercules, celebrated for his strength, here adorns an object whose base is a reminder of death. The vase could be viewed as a reflection on the transience of glory and the inevitability of death, suggesting that even the greatest heroes ultimately succumb to mortality. Piranesi's work often explored themes of power, decay, and the passage of time. He prompts us to consider our own place in the grand sweep of history, and the legacies we leave behind. Does this vase maintain traditional representations or develop alternative narratives?