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18th C. Piranesi Fireplace Designs based on Ancient Architectural Styles

Creator: Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Offered by: Timeless Intaglio – Rare Prints, Maps & Books

Description
These two Giovanni Battista Piranesi 18th century etchings of fireplace designs on one sheet is plate 6 from his publication 'Diverse Maniere d'adornare i cammini ed ogni altra parte degli edifizi desunte dall'architettura Egizia, Etrusca, e Greca con un Ragionamento Apologetico in defesa dell'Architettura Egizia, e Toscana, opera del Cavaliere Giambattista Piranesi Architetto" (Diverse Ways of ornamenting chimneypieces and all other parts of houses taken from Egyptian, Etruscan, and Grecian architecture with an Apologia in defense of the Egyptian and Tuscan architecture, the work of Cavaliere Giambattista Piranesi), published in Rome in 1769. These etchings depict two of Piranesi's fireplace creations that were designed in a neoclassical style, influenced by Greek, Etruscan and Egyptian architecture. Piranesi's fireplace and other architectural object designs were an effort to encourage the incorporation of these ancient styles into more contemporary architecture. Several private homes of wealthy families in England and elsewhere, such as Burghley House in Lincolnshire, utilized Piranesi’s designs.

These etchings are printed on a thick chain-linked, laid and watermarked paper with wide margins. The sheet measures 22.13" high and 16.13" wide. There is a short crease present in the upper margin, to the right of midline and a horizontal crease in the lower margin of the upper fireplace etching, which may have occurred during the 18th century process of paper manufacture or printing. There are a small number of tiny spots in the margins and mild discoloration centrally, but the print is otherwise in very good condition. The etching is held by many museums, including; The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Cooper Hewitt Museum Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City. Reference: Wilton-Ely Number 859.

Giovanni Battista Piranesi was born in Venice in 1720 and died in Rome in 1778. He was the son of a stone mason and was trained as an architect. After a slow start to his career, he eventually achieved great success as an architect, archaeologist, artist, designer, collector, and antiquities dealer. His mission was to glorify the architecture of ancient Rome through his engravings and etchings. His highly dramatized prints often depict imaginary interiors and frequently include figures in mysterious activities, who are dwarfed by the magnitude of their monumental surroundings.

Piranesi's style greatly influenced the neoclassical art movement of the late 18th century. His dramatic scenes inspired generations of set designers, as well as artists, architects and writers. His prints have continued to increase in popularity and value to institutions and collectors.

More Information

Documentation:	Documented elsewhere (similar item)
Period:	18th Century
Condition:	Good.
Styles / Movements:	Other
Incollect Reference #:	594660

Dimensions

W.	16.13 in;	H.	22.13 in;
W.	40.97 cm;	H.	56.21 cm;

Message from Seller:

Timeless Intaglio is an online gallery of rare and collectable antiquarian prints, maps and books. Although we specialize in all forms of vintage printed works on paper, the majority were created with the intaglio method of transferring ink from a plate, usually copper, to paper with a technique utilizing pressure generated by a press. Email us directly: rbreiman@timelessintaglio.com