Fantasy of a Magnificent Wall Monument

1764/1766

Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Associated Names
Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Artist, Venetian, 1720 - 1778

This is a drawing of an architectural design featuring ornate sculptures and reliefs. The drawing showcases a decorative architectural facade, with a central motif composed of classical figures draped with garlands. Above these figures is a rectangular section with inscribed text. Beneath the figures, circular plaques depict classical profiles and motifs, and the base includes intricate carvings of eagles and other ornamental designs. The composition utilizes detailed line work and shading, enhancing the three-dimensional quality of the reliefs and sculptures.

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 dark brown ink with brown wash over black chalk, with some gray wash on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Patrons' Permanent Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall: 60.7 × 47.2 cm (23 7/8 × 18 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1996.119.1

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Joseph Rose, London (purchased 1770 directly from the artist); presented to Sir Christopher Sykes (1749-1801), Sledmere; private collection (sale, London, Christie's, 4 July 1989, no. 104; (Agnew's, London and David Tunick, New York); purchased 1996 by NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1997

  • Building a Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1997-1998, no. 61, as Fantasy on a Monumental Wall Tomb.

2000

  • Art for the Nation: Collecting for a New Century, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2000-2001, 184.

  • Art in Rome in the Eighteenth Century, Philadelphia Museum of Art and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 2000, no. 389, repro. (Philadelphia only).

2014

  • The Poetry of Light - La poesia della luce: Venetian Drawings from the National Gallery of Art, Museo Correr, Venice, Venice, 2014 - 2015, no. 92.

Bibliography

2000

  • Art for the Nation: Collecting for a New Century. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 2000: 184-185.

  • Art in Rome in the Eighteenth Century. Exh. cat., Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2000: 545.

2002

  • Robison, Andrew. "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. Marburg, 2002: 52, 54, 56-57.

Inscriptions

center left in pen and brown ink: Piranesi.F.; lower right in pen and brown ink: Bought of Piranesi in Rome / March 1770 by Joseph Rose

Wikidata ID

Q64572353

You may be interested in

Loading Results