Section as above; burial chamber and entrance of the scale 

This is Giovanni Battista Piranesi’s etching "Section as above; burial chamber and entrance of the scale." Piranesi was an Italian artist, architect, and antiquarian, who was known for his etchings of Rome and its ancient monuments. During the 18th century, Rome became a focal point for European artists, intellectuals, and Grand Tourists, all drawn to its classical past. Here, Piranesi uses architectural fantasy to explore themes of power, death, and memory through his meticulous rendering of the Colonna Traiana. The etching depicts a cross-section of the pedestal, revealing the burial chamber of Emperor Trajan, and the entrance to the staircase. Piranesi collapses the boundaries between history, myth, and imagination. Piranesi’s detailed work invites us to reflect on the layers of history embedded within the city's architecture, and prompts a conversation about how we engage with the past. These prints evoke a sense of both awe and melancholy.