Giovanni Piranesi Restrike Etching of the Neronian Aquaducts, 19th Century
Item Details
Giovanni Battista Piranesi (Italian, 1720 – 1778)
Avanzi degl’Aquedotti Neroniani che si volevano distruggere per la loro vecchiezza, ma per ordine di N’ro. Sig.re Papa Clemento XIV sono restati in piedi, 19th century
Etching on wove paper
Signed in plate “Cavalier Piranesi F.” to the lower left corner
From the posthumous Firmin-Didot edition plates later printed by the Calcografia Camerale
Pulled from Vedute di Roma
Numbered “48” to the cartouche to center and “48” and “732” to the upper right corner
Blind stamp to the lower right corner
A 19th century restrike etching on wove paper by noted Italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi from the Vedute di Roma series. The work, titled Avanzi degl’Aquedotti Neroniani che si volevano distruggere per la loro vecchiezza, ma per ordine di N’ro. Sig.re Papa Clemento XIV sono restati in piedi depicts the ruins of the Roman aqueducts constructed during the reign of Emperor Nero. As the title states in Italian, the remnants were to be destroyed due to their age, but were ordered to be left in place by Pope Clement XIV. The piece is signed in plate ‘Cavalier Piranesi F.’ to the lower left corner. It was printed from the Firmit-Didot edition of the plate as indicated by the numbers ‘48’ and ‘732’ to the upper right corner, and printed by the Calcografia Camerale and marked with a blind stamp to the lower right.
Piranesi was the son of a Venetian master builder, and studied architecture and stage design. He became enamored with ancient Roman architecture during a visit there in 1740. After studying etching with Giuseppe Vasi from 1740 -1744, he began creating etchings of the Roman architecture and continued the series until his death in 1778. His neoclassical etchings, utilizing bold light and dramatic compositions, became hugely popular with wealthy tourists on their Grand Tour, and were thus circulated throughout Europe becoming very influential.
Condition
- slight toning to paper; discolored marks to the edges at plate mark; clouding to the underside of glass to the lower right corner; nicks and abrasions to the frame.
Dimensions
- measures frame; plate mark measures 28.25" W x 19.25" H.
Item #
ITMG110768
