← Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Ruins of an ancient tomb in front of ruins of an ancient aqueduct (Ruine di Sepolcro antico posto dinanzi ad altre ruine d'un Aquedotto), from "Prima Parte di Architettura, e Prospettive"

Original title: Ruins of an ancient tomb in front of ruins of an ancient aqueduct (Ruine di Sepolcro antico posto dinanzi ad altre ruine d'un Aquedotto), from "Prima Parte di Architettura, e Prospettive"

Artist

Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Date

ca. 1750

Medium

Etching

Dimensions

Plate (Image): 14 1/2 × 9 5/8 in. (36.9 × 24.4 cm) Plate (Inscription): 13/16 × 9 3/4 in. (2 × 24.8 cm) Sheet: 19 7/16 × 13 3/16 in. (49.4 × 33.5 cm)

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1937

kurzbeschreibung

Giovanni Battista Piranesi made this etching around 1750, combining an ancient tomb in the foreground with the ruins of an aqueduct behind it. The print belongs to the series 'Prima Parte di Architettura, e Prospettive' and is executed as an etched plate.

Description

A central fountain with columns and reliefs dominates the foreground; the reliefs may depict mythical or historical events. A male statue on the left is integrated into the fountain system. Beyond, the remains of an aqueduct stretch through the landscape, surrounded by trees and shrubs. Diffused light lies over the scene, evoking a quiet, wistful mood.

Context

The etching was created as part of Piranesi's early series 'Prima Parte di Architettura, e Prospettive', which appeared in Rome around 1750. With this series the artist paid tribute to ancient Roman architecture and consolidated his reputation as a leading draftsman of vedute and ruins. At that time, excavations at Herculaneum and Pompeii were rekindling European interest in antiquity.

Impact

The symmetrical layout and subdued light create a solemn, almost melancholy atmosphere. The ruins inspire awe at the transience of ancient grandeur. Clear lines and precise detail make the architectures appear monumental yet vulnerable.

Technique

In etching, the drawing is incised into an acid-resistant layer on a copper plate and then bitten by acid. Fine lines and hatching produce a richly structured rendering of forms and shadows. The black-and-white monochrome underscores the graphic quality and the lighting of the print.

AI-generated description text

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