Vedute di Roma 

"Vedute di Roma" is a series of etchings made by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, who was born in Venice, around 1750. Piranesi, trained as an architect, created these prints during a time when Rome was a focal point for the Grand Tour, an aristocratic venture intended to immerse young, wealthy Europeans in classical culture. However, Piranesi's Rome isn't just a postcard-perfect depiction. His use of dramatic perspectives and stark contrasts creates a haunting atmosphere, hinting at the decline of an empire. These images also reveal tensions between grandeur and decay. The tiny figures underscore the immensity of the architecture, yet the crumbling ruins speak volumes about the passage of time and the fragility of human achievement. It is a space where one's insignificance and the weight of history meet. Piranesi captures not just buildings, but a sense of human experience, a reminder of history's impact on identity and place, resonating long after the Grand Tourists returned home.