View of the Roman Forum, or Campo Vaccino, with the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina on the left, the Temple of Castor and Pollux on the right, and the Colosseum in the distance 1772

Giovanni Battista Piranesi made this etching of the Roman Forum, or Campo Vaccino, in the 1700s. At the time, the Forum was largely used as a pasture, as you can see from the figures and animals scattered throughout. Piranesi’s image speaks to the cultural interest in classical antiquity during the 18th century. Here, the artist presents a view of Roman ruins as tourist attractions. We see the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, and the Colosseum. These monuments weren’t just ancient structures; they were evidence of an imperial past that European empires admired and hoped to emulate. Piranesi’s work participated in the artistic conventions of his day, such as the Grand Tour, where wealthy Europeans visited historical sites to collect antiquities and artworks like this one. Historical research into travelogues, archaeological records, and the art market of the time could reveal more about the culture that shaped Piranesi’s art.