"Avanzi del Tempio del Dio Canopo nella Villa Adriana in Tivoli"

(1768)

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"Avanzi del Tempio del Dio Canopo nella Villa Adriana in Tivoli", 1768, etching printed on laid paper, state ii (of iv), with full margins, with the usual center crease as issued, in very good condition [Focillon 844; Hind 90; Wilton-Ely 223].

Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) was born in Venice in the great era of neo-classical art. The original print was personified in Italy by Canaletto, the Tiepolos (Giambattista and his son Domenico) and Piranesi.  These artists perfected the Italian approach to etching and Piranesi modified this style by intensifying the range of biting and tonal contrasts, creating a powerful chiaroscuro. The etchings of Piranesi are of such impressive scale and grandeur that they make his works a high point in the history of etching.

"Piranesi's works have their roots in the tradition of the printed veduta (actual view) and the architectural capriccio or fantasy.  Ruins were important for both categories, but especially for the capriccio. At once sad and awesome, foliage-covered, crumbling ruins expressed the inexorable passage of time.  They spoke of past human achievements, of the history of civilization and its outward manifestation: architecture" (Linda C. Hults, "The Print in the Western World").

This Piranesi is in a 35 1/4" x 41" black/brown multicolored and textured frame with a raised silver rope lip design.  The outer antique gray, wine suede beveled accent middle and deep sage rag mats are acid and lignin free and protected with Acrylite-AR OP3 (UV) by CYRO .. SOLD