Boog van Titus te Rome 1748 - 1778

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this etching, entitled "Boog van Titus te Rome," with ink on paper in Italy. Piranesi was known for his etchings of Roman cityscapes and antiquities. In this image, the ruin of the Arch of Titus is not only a relic of the Roman Empire, but also a subject of contemporary debate. Piranesi became embroiled in arguments about the accuracy and authenticity of ancient Roman structures. The details of the etching are a form of historical argument. What did the arch look like? How was it used? How does its ruined state reflect on the grandeur of the past versus the present? By studying documents, architectural plans, and other artworks, we can consider how the artist engaged with the history of Rome and how the institutions of art history shaped his work. The meaning of art lies in this intersection of social, cultural, and institutional forces.