The Pier with a Lamp, from "Carceri d'invenzione" (Imaginary Prisons) 1744 - 1755

"The Pier with a Lamp," one of Giovanni Battista Piranesi’s "Imaginary Prisons," is an etching made in the 18th century, a time when Europe was captivated by the grandeur and decay of antiquity. Piranesi, an Italian artist and architect, was known for his dramatic and visionary depictions of architecture. These prints reflect the mindset of the Enlightenment, with its emphasis on reason, amidst the era’s fascination with classical forms. But Piranesi’s prisons are anything but rational. They are nightmarish labyrinths that evoke feelings of claustrophobia, and existential dread. The architectural fantasies can be interpreted as a reflection on power structures, confinement, and the limits of human intellect. The series explores themes of captivity not just in a physical sense but also psychological and emotional. The overwhelming scale and intricate details within the prisons invite you to ponder the human condition, our vulnerabilities, and the societal constructs that shape our experiences.