The Literary Tradition of Ruins of Rome and a New Consideration of Piranesi's Staffage Figures

<div class="line" id="line-13"> Piranesi's&nbsp; <i> Vedute di Roma </i> &nbsp;( <i> c </i> .1747&hyphen;78) are generally interpreted as manifestations of his admiration for Roman architecture. The inconsistency of Piranesi's staffage figures has been problematic, however, especially when they are markedly distorted and off&hyphen;balance. This study takes an interdisciplinary approach, suggesting that these staffage figures may reflect a well&hyphen;recognised literary tradition that conceived of the ruins of Rome as a metaphor for human mortality and social decay. This literature included texts by canonical authors Spenser and Du Bellay and was cited by Dr Johnson as well as a popular guidebook for travellers making the Grand Tour.</div>