Fantasy on a Magnificent Triumphal Artch

1765

Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Associated Names
Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Artist, Venetian, 1720 - 1778

This is a drawing of an elaborate architectural structure featuring grand arches, columns, and detailed stonework. The design includes large arches, columns, circular medallions, arched windows, and a colonnade leading into the depth of the structure. In the distance, an obelisk-like structure is visible. The drawing uses cross-hatching and bold lines to define depth and form.

Media Options

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

    pen and brown ink, heightened with reed pen and brown ink, some brown wash (laid on eighteenth-century card)

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall: 46.3 x 63.1 cm (18 1/4 x 24 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1986.32.1

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Joseph Windham [1739-1810]; apparently to Anketell Singleton, Languard Fort; by 1800 to Thomas Blofeld, Wroxham; by descent to T.R.C. Blofeld; purchased (via John Mitchell and Son) by NGA, 1986.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1958

  • Eighteenth Century Italy and the Grand Tour, Norwich Castle Museum, May 23-July 20, 1958, Norwich, no. 44.

1959

  • Il Settecento a Roma, Rome, 1959, no. 459.

1994

  • The Glory of Venice, Royal Academy of Arts, London, and National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994, 401, 402, 485, no. 282 (repro. p. 401, color)(entry by Olimpia Theodoli).

1997

  • Building a Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1997-1998, no. 63.

2014

  • The Poetry of Light - La poesia della luce: Venetian Drawings from the National Gallery of Art, Museo Correr, Venice, Venice, 2014 - 2015, no. 91.

Bibliography

1958

  • Ford, Brinsley, "Italy and the Grand Tour at Norwich," The Burlington Magazine c.658-699 (1958): 317.

  • A Loan Exhibition of Eighteenth-Century Italy and the Grand Tour. Norwich Castle Museum, Norwich, 1958: 26.

1959

  • Il Settecento a Roma. De Luca, Rome, 1959: 176.

1978

  • Wilton-Ely, PIRANESI, Ldn, Arts Council of Great Britain, 1978: 114, no. 291.

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: 401-402, 485.

2002

  • Andrew Robison, "Piranesi's Later Drawings of Architectural Fantasies," in Giovanni Battista Piranesi-Die Wahrnehmung von Raum und Zeit. Akten des internationalen Symposiums Staatsgalerie Stuttgart 25. bis 26. Juni 1999. Eds., Corinna Höper, et al. Marburg, 2002: 50-51, 62, 63, fig. 2, and cover.

Inscriptions

lower right in brown ink: I.B.Piranesi. fecit. decr.31.1765.; inscribed by Joseph Wyndham, verso in brown ink: Piranesi / Drawn at Rome in the presence of Joseph Wyndham Esq

Wikidata ID

Q64572344

You may be interested in

Loading Results