The Roman antiquities, t. 1, Plate I. 1756

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this etching titled *The Roman Antiquities* to document and celebrate the grandeur of ancient Rome. Piranesi lived in a time when Rome was seen as both a historical site and a source of artistic inspiration. This work encapsulates the prevailing 18th-century fascination with classical antiquity. Notice how Piranesi doesn't just present the ruins as they are. He embellishes them, creating a romanticized vision of the past. The monumental scale and dramatic lighting evoke a sense of awe. Embedded within the image are dedications to patrons and learned societies, highlighting how art served as a bridge between individual creativity and the wider socio-political structures of the time. "I need to produce great ideas," Piranesi once said, "and I believe I have the strength to do so." Piranesi invites us to contemplate the relationship between past and present and the role of art in shaping collective memory and cultural identity.