Palazzo of the Villa d’Este in Tivoli, Seen from the Fontana dell’Ovato

Built in the 16th century by Cardinal Ippolito d’Este, the Villa d’Este was renowned for its landscaped gardens. Desprez drew the left part of this view on the spot. When Piranesi made this etching of it, he extended the scene to the right and included the group of people under the trees. Bathed in a golden light, the architectural backdrop towers majestically above the garden.