Giovanni Battista Piranesi (Italian, Mogliano Veneto 1720–1778 Rome). "Veduta Del Piano Superiore del Serraglio delle Fiere Fabbricato da Domiziano a Uso Del' Anfiteatro Flavio E Volgarmente detto la Cura Ostilla" - View of the Upper Story of the Cages for Wild Animals Built by the Emperor Domitian, Associated with the Flavia. From Vedute di Roma (Views of Rome). Published in Rome, 1760-1778. Created during Piranesi's lifetime. "Piranesi Architetto fec." on lower right. Created during Piranesi's lifetime. A passionate admirer of Classical architecture, Piranesi actually considered himself an architect. Indeed his drawings and etchings demonstrate his dramatic penchant for manipulating perspective and architectural elements - resulting in creative imaginings of ancient buildings, prisons, and ruins. Such fantastical compositions made sense coming from the man who once declared, "I need to produce great ideas, and I believe that if I were commissioned to design a new universe, I would be mad enough to undertake it." Size: 16.875" L x 24.5" W (42.9 cm x 62.2 cm)
Born in Venice on the 4th October 1720, the son of a stonemason and master builder, Piranesi would become a pioneer of the Neoclassical movement in the late 18th century as a master printmaker and antiquarian. Piranesi trained as an architect under his uncle Matto Lucchesi and Carlo Zucchi, and in 1740, left Venice for Rome where he studied etching with Giuseppe Vasi. While he had limited success winning architectural commissions, his training and passion for classical architecture served him well. Engravings and etchings provided Piranesi with a healthy livelihood, allowing him to turn one of his favorite pastimes, drawing Roman architecture, into a lucrative source of income. By 1747, Piranesi had begun the work for which he is best known, the Vedute di Roma (Views of Rome) and created plates for the series until his death in 1778. He created thousands of works that recorded the Roman monuments as well as those of the Renaissance which were impressive for not only their documentary value but also their immense artistry.
See comparable example in the Yale University Art Gallery - https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/178296
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
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#139777
Condition
A few repairs, more visible on verso. Veros has some remaining adhering paper as if the engraving was removed from a mat. Minute nicks to edges. Paper shows expected darkening commensurate with age.