View of the Piazza della Rotonda 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this etching titled "View of the Piazza della Rotonda" during the 18th century. This print offers us a glimpse into the bustling public life of Rome and the way the city presented itself. Piranesi captures the grandeur of the Piazza Navona, emphasizing its architecture and the people who animate it. The imposing buildings and the obelisk speak to the power of institutions, both religious and civic. Piazza Navona hosted a market. Notice how the buildings loom over the street life below, reminding us of the social hierarchies of the time. The etching itself is a product of a thriving print market, catering to tourists and collectors eager for views of the antique and modern city. By studying the print, its style, and its subject, and by researching the history of Rome and its institutions, we can better understand the complex social and cultural forces that shaped both the city and its artistic representations.