Het Mausoleum van Augustus te Rome c. 1700 - 1710

This is an etching of The Mausoleum of Augustus in Rome, made by an anonymous artist. Focusing on identity, one may wonder how a grand architectural work intended to immortalize an emperor can be recontextualized across time. Originally a symbol of imperial power, the mausoleum gradually transformed into something different. For instance, during the middle ages, the space was used as a fortified castle, which points to the changing political landscapes and power dynamics in Rome. The etching presents us with a layered narrative of power, memory, and transformation. It encourages us to consider how symbols of authority are reinterpreted. It makes you wonder about the transient nature of power, and the enduring human impulse to create legacies.