Piazza del Campidoglio
AA-2026-35DF6F
On the image
A woman stands in the grand Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome, striking a pose for a photograph that captures the specific fashion of 1970s travel. Her bright yellow top and patterned skirt suggest a determination to experience European history with appropriate, yet comfortable, flair.
She has chosen a spot directly in Michelangelo's carefully proportioned paving, a design intended to create an illusion of greater length. This complex Renaissance geometry now primarily serves as a backdrop for vacation snapshots, much like the imposing Palazzo Senatorio behind her, which was originally a Roman temple and later a municipal building.
To her right, the massive bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius stands, a replica of the ancient original now preserved indoors. It patiently observes generations of tourists, each convinced their photo will be uniquely memorable, much as previous emperors believed their decrees would last forever.
The historian's note
The image depicts a tourist in the Piazza del Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill) in Rome, Italy, during the 1970s. The piazza was designed by Michelangelo in the 16th century, featuring a unique trapezoidal shape and an oval paving pattern that creates an optical illusion of perspective.
The central building visible is the Palazzo Senatorio, which houses the Rome City Hall. On the right stands the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius; the version in the piazza is a 20th-century replica, installed to protect the original 2nd-century bronze statue, which is now displayed in the Capitoline Museums.
This location is a significant historical and architectural site, encapsulating Roman, Renaissance, and modern history, and has been a central point for civic and ceremonial life in Rome for centuries.
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Woman Posing at Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-35DF6F. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/woman-posing-at-piazza-del-campidoglio-rome-1970s.
@misc{aaAA202635DF6F,
title = {Woman Posing at Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-35DF6F},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/woman-posing-at-piazza-del-campidoglio-rome-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Woman Posing at Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-35DF6F UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/woman-posing-at-piazza-del-campidoglio-rome-1970s ER -
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