Partial elevation and plan of the first-order portico at the Theater of Marcellus
Original title: Partial elevation and plan of the first-order portico at the Theater of Marcellus (Dimostrazione di una parte de' portici del prim' ordine del Teatro di Marcello), from "Le Antichità Romane"
kurzbeschreibung
Giovanni Battista Piranesi made this etching in 1756: a measured drawing of the portico of the first order at the Theater of Marcellus in Rome. It belongs to the four-volume publication 'Le Antichità Romane' and records the ancient architecture together with precise dimensions.
Description
A row of columns carries an ornamented entablature, and this forms the main subject. Beneath it two figures are sketched, apparently interacting; they are simply but carefully drawn. At the lower edge a plant serves as a scale for the proportions. The print is monochrome and carries measurements and labels.
Context
The etching was made in 1756 for the four-volume 'Le Antichità Romane', which documented the ancient buildings of Rome. Piranesi combined archaeological accuracy with an artist's rendering to convey the scale and condition of the ruins. The Theater of Marcellus, built in the first century BC, was among the most important theaters of ancient Rome.
Impact
Clear linework and an orderly arrangement give the sheet a factual yet imposing effect. Without romantic additions, the monumentality of the ancient architecture can be followed directly.
Technique
The etching was printed on paper; the plate measures about 43 x 25.8 cm. Piranesi used drypoint and etching to produce the fine lines and shading suited to architectural subjects.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)