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 Round Tower

published 1761

Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Associated Names

Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Artist, Venetian, 1720 - 1778

The image depicts intersecting lines and geometric shapes, forming a labyrinth of staircases, arches, and structures. The composition conveys a complex architectural maze with surreal elements like staircases and arches found in ancient buildings. The various elements suggest an upward movement within a large space. Light and shadow effects create depth, while dark tones emphasize the intricate details of the scene.

This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.

Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

Medium

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

Mark J. Millard Architectural Collection, acquired with assistance from The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
Dimensions

sheet: 76.7 x 53.6 cm (30 3/16 x 21 1/8 in.)
Accession Number

1983.118.4
Catalogue Raisonné

Robison 1986, no. 30, State ii/vi

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Mark J. Millard, New York; gift to NGA, 1983.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1918

Focillon, Henri. Giovanni-Battista Piranesi; essai de catalogue raisonne de son oeuvre. Paris: Librairie Renouard, Henri Laurens, 1918.

1922

Hind, Arthur M. Giovanni Battista Piranesi; a critical study with a list of his published works and detailed catalogues of the prisons and the views of Rome. London: Cotswold Gallery; New York: E. Weyhe, 1922.

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.

2000

Pollak et al. 2000, no. 82

Inscriptions

lower left in plate: Piranesi F.

Wikidata ID

Q74045906

You may be interested in