Animations:

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

Open 10:00–5:00

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 a Lamp

published 1749/1750

Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Associated Names

Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Artist, Venetian, 1720 - 1778

This is a drawing of a vaulted interior architectural space. The scene features grand arches, intricately carved stone elements, a central prominent structure, and detailed bases adorned with figures and decorative ring motifs. Shading and cross-hatching add texture and depth. The overall scene conveys a feeling of historical and monumental architecture.

Download

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

Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

Medium

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

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

plate: 41.5 x 55.8 cm (16 5/16 x 21 15/16 in.)
Accession Number

1976.35.13
Catalogue Raisonné

Robison 1986, no. 41, State i/vii
Series Title

Carceri (First Edition, First Issue)

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Philip Hofer. Ferdinando Salamon, Milan. Armando Neerman.

Associated Names

Neerman, Armando, Mr.

Exhibition History

1994

The Glory of Venice, Royal Academy of Arts, London, and National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994, 394, 484, no. 277 (repro. p. 394)(entry by Olimpia Theodoli).

Bibliography

1918

Focillon 38.

1922

Hind 15.

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.

1992

National Gallery of Art, Washington. Washington, D.C., 1992: 321, repro.

1994

The Glory of Venice. Exh. cat. Royal Academy of Arts, London; National Gallery of Art, Washington; Museo del Settecento Veneziano - Ca'Rezzonico, Venice; Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice, 1994-1995: no. 277.

Watermarks

Fleur-de-lis (Robison 5)

Wikidata ID

Q65568945

You may be interested in