Ruïne van het keizerlijk badhuis in Calabrië 1784

Johann Gottlieb Prestel created this print of the Ruin of the Imperial Bathhouse in Calabria using etching and roulette around the late 18th century. During this time, there was an increasing interest in classical antiquity as Europe was in the midst of rediscovering the art and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. The print depicts a ruined Roman bathhouse, possibly as a romanticized vision of the past. The bathhouse itself would have served as a significant social institution during the Roman Empire, where people from all walks of life gathered to socialize and conduct business. Prints like this one catered to the growing interest in classical antiquity and fuelled the Grand Tour, a popular educational journey for wealthy Europeans. The Rijksmuseum, where this print is housed, plays a role in preserving and showcasing such historical artifacts, contributing to our understanding of the past. To fully understand the context of this artwork, one might consult historical texts, archaeological reports, and studies of social life in ancient Rome.