Ruïne in Villa Barberini 1764

This etching, "Ruïne in Villa Barberini" (1764), by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, depicts a dramatic, overgrown ruin. Piranesi was a master of the capriccio, a genre of artwork that combines real and imagined architectural elements, often with a melancholic or mysterious tone. This print, part of a larger series of works showcasing Roman ruins, showcases Piranesi's detailed and evocative style, emphasizing the grandeur and decay of the ancient world.