The artwork titled “The Roman antiquities, t. 2, Plate LIII. Registration of `Soldiers Praetorian guards,” executed by artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi, exemplifies the Neoclassicism movement through its medium of etching. As part of the design genre, this piece belongs to the series “Le antichità Romane.”
In this artwork, three Roman funeral steles are meticulously depicted, each bearing inscriptions commemorating the service of Praetorian guards. The etching showcases a high level of detail, emphasizing the textures and inscriptions on the stone monuments. The inscriptions are bordered by carefully rendered architectural elements, which highlight Piranesi’s skillful integration of historical detail and artistic precision. This piece serves as a testament to the reverence held for Roman military history and the artistic efforts to preserve and celebrate it.
