Section of the house 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi, an Italian artist, created this etching, "Section of the House," during the 18th century, a time of significant upheaval that would become the age of revolutions. Piranesi was known for his etchings of Rome and its ancient monuments. His work was deeply influenced by the architectural and political philosophies of his time. "Section of the House" reflects the period's interest in classical architecture but goes further than mere documentation. It speaks to the social structures embedded within these spaces. The floor plan reveals the separation of private and public areas, male and female domains, and perhaps, even the spaces of the masters and servants, each rigidly defined. The walls and corridors, rendered with precise detail, suggest a world of order and control, where every individual had their place. Piranesi's Rome serves as a stage where the drama of power, gender, and identity is perpetually enacted. His work prompts us to consider how the built environment shapes our lives and reinforces societal norms.