Ancient, Modern & Contemporary Art

XXVI Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Piranesi Art Show for Casa Italia (1996)

During the XXVI Olympics in Atlanta, Italian art collector Giuseppe Marino honored Italy and Rome’s rich cultural heritage with a remarkable exhibition dedicated to Giovanni Battista Piranesi.

Showcasing a prestigious collection acquired from the Duke of Wellington (more details here), Marino’s exhibition celebrated Piranesi’s masterful etchings of ancient Rome, bringing the grandeur of the Eternal City to an international audience. Held alongside the Olympic festivities, the show highlighted Italy’s enduring artistic legacy, reinforcing the nation’s historical significance in architecture, design, and printmaking. Marino’s tribute not only paid homage to Piranesi’s visionary work but also served as a powerful cultural statement, intertwining art, history, and national pride on a global stage.