Giovanni Battista Piranesi (Italian, also Giambattista Piranese, 1720-1778), "al Signore Pietro Traille Cavliere, e Capitano …" - copper plate engraving, published in Rome, ca. 1770 CE. A beautiful composition depicting a group of three nude women supporting a columnar support in the palace of the Villa Borghese Pinciana (the Villa Borghese on the Pincian Hill) designed by architect Flaminio Ponzio. Size: plate mark measures 15.25" L x 10.25" W (38.7 cm x 26 cm); sheet measures 23.375" L x 14.25" W (59.4 cm x 36.2 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. 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.
Provenance: private Lucille Lucas collection, Crested Butte, Colorado, USA
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#136427
Condition
Small tear to left margin - tape marks on verso of this area. Slight toning to paper. Handwritten notes by previous owner in upper margin.