Taurus Group Franese 

This print of the Farnese Bull was made by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in 18th century Italy. Piranesi was fascinated by Roman antiquity, and he was also aware of the social role of art, in shaping tastes and inspiring civic virtue. This image documents a rediscovered Roman sculpture, depicting the myth of Dirce being tied to a bull by the sons of Antiope. It reminds its viewers of the grandeur and sophistication of the classical past. But prints like these were not simply records; they also actively shaped how viewers understood these ancient works. Piranesi highlights its dramatic dynamism to inspire the public with stories of heroism and justice. Images like these helped shape the cultural identity of Europe during the Enlightenment. Today, scholars use a range of resources such as letters and inventories to understand how art like this operated within a specific social and institutional context.