The Appian Way
c. 1756-57
This print was basically the ultimate souvenir for wealthy tourists on the Grand Tour in the 18th century, capturing the romantic obsession with ancient ruins. Piranesi exaggerated the scale of these tombs along the Appian Way to make them look like a graveyard of giants, playing with perspective to create a sense of endless, dramatic decay. Tiny figures wander through the scene, looking completely dwarfed by the crumbling brick skeletons, reminding viewers that even the mighty Roman Empire eventually turns to dust and weeds.
- Technique
- Etching