Gezicht op de Villa Medici te Rome 1768 - 1810

This is Francesco Piranesi's "View of the Villa Medici in Rome," an etching made sometime in the late 18th century. The obelisk in the foreground is a potent symbol. Ancient Egyptians erected obelisks as solar symbols, representing stability and creative power. Here, Piranesi shows an obelisk, transplanted to Rome, now a relic of an empire which adopted and transformed Egyptian culture to suit its own desires. The re-emergence of the obelisk in Rome demonstrates its cultural persistence, and our continued fascination with an antique past. Like ancient statues, the obelisk has resurfaced, evolving and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts. It stands as a proud vestige engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level.