Temple at Paestum

The eighteenth-century artist Piranesi has depicted the Temple of Juno in Paestum, once a Greek colony in south-western Italy. This drawing is part of a series of views of Paestum. Piranesi was fascinated by classical architectureClassical architectureArchitecture of the Graeco-Roman period (from around the 7th century BC to the 3rd century AD) is known as 'classical' architecture. The buildings of this period feature elements from particular orders of architecture. These are systems with strict combinations of architectural forms, sizes and proportions. Each order can be recognised by the shape of the columns and the capitals. The columns support an entablature, divided in turn into an architrave, frieze and cornice. The formal idiom of classical architecture remains a source of inspiration to this day.. He was especially renowned for his fantastic views of Roman ruins. With this drawing Piranesi perpetuated a long-standing tradition of 'pastoral' landscapes in which the everyday life of simple peasants and shepherds was romanticised. For centuries, ruins with shepherds and cattle remained a popular artistic theme.