![]() The Temple of Saturn and the Tomb of Cecilia were both ancient Roman sites that garnered attention from antiquarians. The vedute were focused on the most popular sites for Grand Tourists, as that was Piranesi’s main audience. 27 Piranesi's vedute, or views, were sold as souvenirs to Grand Tourists. 26 He had an enduring relationship with antiquity and translated antique style into a vernacular, the vedute, that combined present context with the wisdom of styles past. These histories piqued Piranesi’s lifelong obsession with the antiquities of Rome. His brother, then a practicing Carthusian monk, used to read to Piranesi the heroic account of Rome’s origins in the histories of Livy when they were children. His enthusiasm for antiquity was inspired by his older brother, Angelo (circa. Piranesi, as demonstrated by his work on the Antichità Romane, was highly intrigued by the ancient Roman past, similar to the passions of Grand Tourists. Tourists from all over Europe came to study the antique architecture and highly acclaimed masterpieces of the 16th century, as well as the city’s contemporary art. While Roman society itself was stagnant, the popular tourist centers brought a life to the city, making Rome an important meeting point for the exchange of creative ideas. ![]() Rome, as the capital of the ancient empire, was the focus of the Grand Tour. 24 It was mainly the tourists who gave life to the cultural scene in Rome and whose lavish spending stimulated the economy, leaving little room for budding architects like Piranesi. On the other hand, the opportunities for an ambitious young architect like Piranesi were practically non-existent. On the one hand, there was the unlimited visual excitement of the city, which was still medieval in the close-knit network of narrow streets, fountains, obelisks, and large churches. 23 The initial impact of Rome was both exhilarating and frustrating for Piranesi. Before Piranesi had traveled there, Rome had undergone a period of urban development, in artistic as well as in economic terms. The Rome Piranesi saw for the first time in 1740 was a Rome whose appearance had changed greatly over the past decade. Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Sepolcro di Cecilia Metella (Tomb of Cecilia Metella), plate 112 from the series "Vedute di Roma" (Views of Rome), 1762, etching (Davis Museum)
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