Ancient Roman Temple Architecture: An 18th Century Framed Etching by Piranesi, 1763

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This is an 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi entitled "Veduta del Tempio detto della Tosse su la Via … Read more This is an 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi entitled "Veduta del Tempio detto della Tosse su la Via Tiburtina, un miglio vicino a Tivoli" (View of the so-called Temple of the Cough on the Via Tiburtina, a Mile from Tivoli), from Vedute di Roma (Views of Rome), published in Rome in 1763. This structure is thought to be the tomb of the Turcia or Tossia family.

In this etching Piranesi depicts an architectural ruin located along the road heading east from the city. Legend has it that this temple was dedicated to the cough in an effort to prevent the spread of pulmonary disease among the citizens. The landscape around the building is overgrown and the building itself is neglected with plants growing on its roof. There are multiple people depicted around the temple in part to give perspective, as is common in Piranesi's depictions of ancient Roman architectural ruins. However the faces of these figures are more expressive than in most of Piranesi's scenes. The seated figure appears to be in some distress with dark eyes and an open mouth. A woman with a staff appears to scold a younger man.

The etching is in the collection of several museums, including: The British Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Yale Art Gallery, The National Gallery of Art, The Chicago Art Institute, The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, The Harvard Art Museum.
References: Wilton-Ely 1994 / Giovanni Battista Piranesi, the complete etchings, 202
Hind 1922 / Giovanni Battista Piranesi, a critical study, 69.1
Focillon 1918 / Giovanni Battista Piranesi: Essai de catalogue raisonné de son œuvre, 774

The etching is presented in a gold and black-colored wood frame with a white mat. The frame measures 30" x 35" x 1". There a small dent in the edge of frame, a short crease in the upper sheet margin and a short tear or crease in the lower margin. See less