Palazzo of the French Academy on the Corso 1741 - 1748

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this print of the Palazzo of the French Academy on the Corso. Piranesi was an Italian artist, celebrated for his etchings of Rome. During the 18th century, Rome was a site of cultural exchange, attracting artists and intellectuals from across Europe. Academies like the French Academy played a crucial role in shaping artistic tastes and promoting certain styles. As you gaze at this print, consider the power dynamics at play. Foreign academies often reinforced prevailing colonial hierarchies. Who had access to these institutions? Whose artistic traditions were valued and whose were marginalized? Piranesi’s Rome was a theater of power, where art and architecture were instruments of cultural and political dominance. Notice how the precision of the etching lends a sense of authority to the depicted architecture. This print serves not only as a record, but as a commentary on the cultural and political landscape of 18th century Rome.