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Visit
Open today 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission is always free

6th and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20565

Sculpture Garden Extended Hours

Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights
Through September 5
Exhibitions & Events
America’s 250th

Celebrating American art and artists
Art & Artists
Open Call

Artists Reimagining the Collection
Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

The Pier with Chains

published 1749/1750

Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Associated Names

Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Artist, Venetian, 1720 - 1778

This is a drawing of an architectural interior with grand arches and columns. The scene shows intricate architectural space with arches, columns, hanging lanterns, stairs, pathways, shadowed corners, and warmly lit spaces. The lines and crosshatching create texture and depth, suggesting aged, possibly stone construction. The contrast between dark and light areas conveys depth and drama.

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This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

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Artwork overview

Medium

etching, engraving, sulphur tint or open bite, burnishing
Credit Line

W.G. Russell Allen, Ailsa Mellon Bruce, Lessing J. Rosenwald, and Pepita Milmore Funds
Accession Number

1976.35.14
Catalogue Raisonné

Robison 1986, no. 42, State i/vi

Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

1918

Focillon 39.

1922

Hind 16.

1986

Robison, Andrew. Piranesi Early Architectural Fantasies: A Catalogue Raisonne of the Etchings. Washington: National Gallery of Art; Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press, 1986.

Watermarks

Fleur-de-lis (Robison 5)

Wikidata ID

Q65568947

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