Plate 15: Forum of Augustus (Foro di Augusto) 1743 - 1753

Giovanni Battista Piranesi etched this plate of the Forum of Augustus in the 18th century, capturing the grandeur of ancient Rome. Dominating the scene are the fragmented columns, their Corinthian capitals adorned with acanthus leaves, symbols of rebirth and resilience. The arch, a motif that has echoed through the ages from triumphal monuments to sacred portals, suggests both a gateway and a passage through time. Think of the Arch of Constantine or the Ishtar Gate of Babylon. The arch embodies the human impulse to connect, to transition. Here, though, it is crumbling, overgrown, a ghost of its former self. It speaks of decay and memory. Consider the emotional weight of these ruins. Piranesi masterfully evokes a sense of melancholy. This isn't just a depiction of stones, but an elegy for a civilization, inviting a visceral, psychological experience. The cyclical nature of history is apparent. The motifs of power and architectural strength have resurfaced, evolved, and been reinterpreted across different eras.