“The Roman antiquities, t. 1, Plate XXVIII. Baths of Diocletian,” is an etching created by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in the year 1756 in Italy. The artwork embodies the Neoclassicism art movement and belongs to the genre of cityscape. This particular piece is part of the series titled “Le antichità Romane.”
The artwork depicts a detailed architectural rendering of the Baths of Diocletian, highlighting the ruins of this grand ancient structure. The etching conveys the monumental scale and intricate design of the baths, capturing the grandeur and historical significance of Roman architecture. Piranesi’s precise and methodical line work adds to the texture and depth of the etching, creating a vivid representation of this architectural marvel. The composition is characterized by the contrast between the dilapidated state of the ruins and the meticulous attention to the structural elements, emblematic of the Neoclassical interest in the revival of classical antiquity. The scene is enlivened by the presence of small figures, accentuating the immense scale of the ancient bath complex.
