Details
Description
Giovanni Battista Piranesi (Italian, 1720–1778)
Engraving of an Ancient Marble Altar (Urn)
Rome, circa 1768–1778
Etching on paper
Dimensions: 35 …
Read more
Giovanni Battista Piranesi (Italian, 1720–1778)
Engraving of an Ancient Marble Altar (Urn)
Rome, circa 1768–1778
Etching on paper
Dimensions: 35 inches × 29 1/8 inches × 1 1/2 inches.
This engraving by Giovanni Battista Piranesi depicts a monumental marble urn, recorded among the antiquities discovered at Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli. Resting on three elaborate supports, the broad, fluted basin is adorned with dramatic sculptural handles in the form of mythological creatures. Beneath, the urn is elevated on a richly decorated pedestal, where putti flank a cornucopia and marine motifs, symbols of fertility and abundance.
The dedication at the top of the plate honors the English collector Sir Thomas Barrett, reflecting the wide circle of international patrons who admired Piranesi’s antiquarian works. Though rooted in archaeological study, the composition exemplifies Piranesi’s artistic imagination—exaggerating scale and detail to heighten the grandeur of Roman design. His engravings, such as this, helped shape 18th-century Europe’s fascination with classical antiquity and the revival of neoclassical style.
The piece is within a simple black frame with a wide white matte.
(Ref: NY10863-nirx)
See less
- Dimensions
- 29.13ʺW × 1.5ʺD × 35ʺH
- Styles
- Traditional
- Frame Type
- Framed
- Art Subjects
- Architecture
- Period
- Late 18th Century
- Country of Origin
- Italy
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Engraving
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Black
- Condition Notes
- Good condition Good condition less
Questions about the item?
Returns & Cancellations
Return Policy - All sales are final 48 hours after delivery, unless otherwise specified in the description of the product.
Related Collections
- Tatiana Alida Original Prints
- Ross Bleckner Original Prints
- Greg Copeland Original Prints
- Clay Walker Original Prints
- Gorman Original Prints
- Raffia Original Prints
- Leonardo Nierman Original Prints
- Crystal Original Prints
- Abraham Rattner Original Prints
- Spray Paint Original Prints
- Red Grooms Original Prints
- Balmain Original Prints
- Carrie Bergey Original Prints
- Teak Original Prints
- William Meyerowitz Original Prints
- Frank Stella Original Prints
- Clay Original Prints
- Botanical Prints
- Japanese Woodblock Prints
- Bird Prints
- Woodblock Prints
- Framed Prints
- Screen Prints
- Black and White Prints
- Thomas McKnight Original Prints