Large plan of the entrance of the town of Pompeii, and its surrounding buildings, from "Antiquités de Pompeïa, tome premier, Antiquités de la Grande Grèce..." (Antiquities of Pompeii, volume one, Antiquities of Great Greece...), volume 1, plate 2
Original title: Large plan of the entrance of the town of Pompeii, and its surrounding buildings, from "Antiquités de Pompeïa, tome premier, Antiquités de la Grande Grèce..." (Antiquities of Pompeii, volume one, Antiquities of Great Greece...), volume 1, plate 2
kurzbeschreibung
A detailed town plan of Pompeii's entrance area and its surrounding buildings, etched by Francesco Piranesi and published in 1804. The sheet belongs to the first volume of 'Antiquités de Pompeïa' and formed part of the scholarly documentation of the excavations. In portrait format it measures 55.5 × 80.2 cm and stands as an example of precise archaeological cartography from the Napoleonic era.
Description
A central axis runs through the city walls, dividing the symmetrically arranged plan into distinct sections. Buildings are set out in rows, with heavier lines picking out the most important structures. Along the edge of the sheet a river or canal appears, together with surrounding fields or gardens. The etching remains black and white, without shading, giving it the look of a technical drawing. Crisp, clear lines and the methodical placement of buildings create an impression of precision.
Context
Francesco Piranesi, son of the well-known Giovanni Battista Piranesi, made this etching in 1804, when Pompeii was already being systematically excavated. The multi-volume 'Antiquités de Pompeïa' documented the archaeological finds for an educated European audience. Piranesi worked in Rome and Naples and was known for his detailed renderings of ancient sites. The plan served both scholarly and representational purposes, spreading knowledge of the ancient city.
Impact
The etching presents itself soberly and objectively, emphasizing the architectural structure of the ancient city. Clear linework and symmetrical arrangement produce a calming order that invites close inspection. Technical precision underlines the work's scholarly ambition and hints at the former complexity of the ancient city.
Technique
As an etching—an intaglio process in which the drawing is bitten into a copper plate—the sheet displays fine lines and precise execution that attest to high craftsmanship. The plate measures 55.5 × 78 cm and was printed on paper of 55.5 × 80.2 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)