← Giovanni Battista Piranesi Giovanni Battista Piranesi — View of the Basilica of San Sebastiano fuori delle mura [St. Sebastian outside the Walls] on the Appian Way, from Vedute di Roma (Roman Views) (ca. 1750, Met-Objekt 3976)

Giovanni Battista Piranesi — View of the Basilica of San Sebastiano fuori delle mura [St. Sebastian outside the Walls] on the Appian Way, from Vedute di Roma (Roman Views) (ca. 1750, Met-Objekt 3976)

View of the Basilica of San Sebastiano fuori delle mura [St. Sebastian outside the Walls] on the Appian Way, from Vedute di Roma (Roman Views) (ca. 1750, Met-Objekt 3976)

Original title: View of the Basilica of San Sebastiano fuori delle mura [St. Sebastian outside the Walls] on the Appian Way, from Vedute di Roma (Roman Views)

Artist: Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Date: ca. 1750
Medium: Etching; first state of four (Hind)
Dimensions: Sheet: 20 1/2 x 30 1/2 in. (52 x 77.5 cm) Plate: 16 7/16 x 26 in. (41.8 x 66 cm)
Credit line: Gift of Mrs. David Keppel, 1960

kurzbeschreibung

Made around 1750, this etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi formed part of his series Vedute di Roma. It takes as its subject the Basilica San Sebastiano fuori delle mura, standing on the Via Appia in Rome. The sheet belongs to a group of city views in which Piranesi recorded both the ancient and the contemporary buildings of the city.

Description

The basilica, with its striking roof and dome, dominates the foreground. On the left a gateway with columns and lanterns marks the entrance, while a stretch of wall with a niche closes the view on the right. Further buildings and church towers appear beyond. The road in front of the church is busy: people and horses bring the route to life. Cloud covers the sky, and fine hatching conveys the fall of light.

Context

Piranesi began the Vedute di Roma, a series of etchings of Roman buildings from various periods, in the 1740s and continued it for decades. The Basilica San Sebastiano is among Rome's old pilgrimage churches and was a favored subject for view painters. In his views Piranesi combined topographical accuracy with dramatic staging.

Impact

A calm, monumental mood emanates from the print, carried by the cloudy zone of sky and the varied shading. The busy street in the foreground offers a lively contrast to the monumental architecture. The precise linework invites close attention to the building's details.

Technique

The work is an etching, specifically the first of four states. The sheet measures 52 x 77.5 cm, the plate 41.8 x 66 cm. This technique allowed for fine lines and a broad range of tone in rendering light and shadow.

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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)