Vedute di Roma
Original title: Title page for "Vedute di Roma"
kurzbeschreibung
Giovanni Battista Piranesi's etching 'Title Page for Vedute di Roma' was made between 1760 and 1778. This fourth state of five, measuring 52.8 x 76.7 cm, served as the frontispiece to his celebrated series of Roman views and features a magnificent fountain as its central motif.
Description
A multi-tiered fountain topped by a dome draws the eye, flanked by plants and statues. Behind it rises a rocky outcrop bearing the title and author's name. Trees and bushes frame the scene, suggesting a park or garden. The layout is symmetrical, with the fountain at the midpoint and light distributed evenly—typical of etchings.
Context
From 1748 onward, Piranesi published the 'Vedute di Roma', a series of views of ancient and modern Rome. The title page was created in the 1760s and revised several times, as the five states attest. Piranesi was known for his dramatic, detailed depictions of Roman architecture, which appealed to tourists and architects alike.
Impact
The symmetrical arrangement and baroque abundance of ornamental detail give the print a solemn, almost monumental presence. Embedding the title within a rocky landscape with fountain and plants creates a romantic mood that prepares the viewer for the views that follow.
Technique
For this etching, the drawing was scratched into a wax ground on a copper plate and then bitten with acid. Printing was in black on paper, with precise, fine linework. The fourth state shows possible reworkings compared to earlier impressions, indicating careful development of the plate.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)