Showrooms

Ancient Roman Architecture: 18th Century Etching by Giovanni Piranesi

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

Description
This is an 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi entitled "Veduta del Tempio di Cibele a Piazza della Bocca della Verità" (View of the Temple of Cybele in the Piazza of the Bocca della Verità) from Vedute di Roma (Views of Rome), published in Rome in 1758. This structure has at times been thought to represent the Temple of Hercules, but it has also been attributed to Vesta, the virgin goddess of the hearth, home, and family.

In this etching Piranesi chooses to contrast the former grandeur of the ancient temple, whose walls are in disrepair, with a realistic view of Rome’s mundane daily life in the eighteenth century. There is laundry hanging in front of the structure, a large wooden cart is parked by the fountain minus its horse, a group people, possibly tourists with a guide, are talking in the foreground accompanied by a dog and a child, wooden wagon wheels are propped up unceremoniously against the temple, cattle stand to the left and an unattactive building is seen on the opposite side of the street. Parts of the city are seen in the background.

The etching is in the collection of several museums, including: The British Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Yale Art Gallery, The National Gallery of Art, The Chicago Art Institute, The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

References: Wilton-Ely 1994 168, Hind 1922 32.IV, Focillon 1918 821

The etching is presented in a black and gilded gold wood frame with a white mat. The frame measures 26.5" x 33.875" x 1". The etching is in excellent condition.

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 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 value to institutions and collectors.

More Information

Documentation:	Signed
Period:	18th Century
Condition:	Good.
Creation Date:	1758
Styles / Movements:	Other
Incollect Reference #:	582338

Dimensions

W.	33.875 in;	H.	26.5 in;	D.	1 in;
W.	86.04 cm;	H.	67.31 cm;	D.	2.54 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