Fascinated by the historic grandeur of the monuments of ancient and modern (18th century) Rome, Giovanni Battista Piranesi spent a lifetime recording the images of Roman remains. An architect by trade, though never accomplished in the profession, and passionate about archeology, Piranesi combined his interests with his creative energy to produce a large body of detailed etchings illustrating the imposing structures of Roman grandeur. Piranesi returned again and again to popular views of Rome to reinterpret scenes from varying angles, lights, and perspectives. Piranesi’s etchings were popular and important souvenirs of Rome for European visitors making the Grand Tour of Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries.