The artwork titled “The Roman antiquities, t. 3, Plate LIV. Way in which they were raised big travertine, marble and other produce in the large tomb of Cecilia Metella,” crafted by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, is an etching executed in the Neoclassicism art movement. This cityscape artwork is part of the series “Le antichità Romane.”
The artwork meticulously illustrates the method employed to raise massive travertine, marble, and other materials during the construction of the grand tomb of Cecilia Metella. It includes detailed depictions of hoisting mechanisms, ropes, and workers engaged in the laborious task, capturing the architectural and engineering prowess of ancient Rome. The intricate etching demonstrates Piranesi’s architectural mastery and his dedication to documenting and reviving Roman antiquities, presented in a detailed tableau that is as educational as it is artistic.
