Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Piranesi, Giambattista
Venetian, 1720 - 1778

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The artwork presents a scene filled with architectural and natural elements. It showcases a dense composition with intricate details, primarily in monochromatic shades. Close to us, there are large stone structures overgrown with vegetation. Figures are interacting with the environment. In the distance, architectural elements like arches and columns are visible, partially obscured by the growth of trees. The horizon is high, allowing focus on the intricate foreground details. The etching employs fine, delicate lines, creating a rich texture that enhances the depth and intricacy of the scene. The overall color palette is black and white, which emphasizes the detailed line work.
Francesco Piranesi, Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Prima Parte; Grotteschi; Carceri; Alcuna Vedute ...; Trofei di Ottaviano Augusto, published 1800/1809, 5 works bound in 1 vol: etchings, Rosenwald Collection, 1949.5.13

Prima Parte; Grotteschi; Carceri; Alcuna Vedute ...; Trofei di Ottaviano Augusto

Francesco Piranesi, Giovanni Battista Piranesi · published 1800/1809 · 5 works bound in 1 vol: etchings ·  Accession ID  1949.5.13
The image features a web of lines and arches creating geometric shapes. Beams and chains hang from the ceilings while multiple levels and platforms intertwine. The overpasses and stone-like textures enhance the sense of an architectural structure.
Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Prisoners on a Projecting Platform, published 1800/1809, etching, engraving, sulphur tint or open bite, burnishing, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.6995

Prisoners on a Projecting Platform

Giovanni Battista Piranesi · published 1800/1809 · etching, engraving, sulphur tint or open bite, burnishing ·  Accession ID  1943.3.6995
This is a drawing of an interior space with arches, staircases, and towering architectural elements. The scene includes grand, arched structures that overlap and intertwine with intricate railings and columns. The composition shows architectural details like ropes, chains, and large pieces of machinery or scaffolding within the arches. A complex array of lines and shades create deep contrast in the space. Light filters through high arched windows, illuminating the stonework with shadows and light.
Giovanni Battista Piranesi, The Smoking Fire, published 1800/1809, etching, engraving, sulphur tint or open bite, burnishing, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.6991

The Smoking Fire

Giovanni Battista Piranesi · published 1800/1809 · etching, engraving, sulphur tint or open bite, burnishing ·  Accession ID  1943.3.6991
This is a drawing of an interior with intricate architectural elements such as staircases and arches. The image showcases a complex network of arches, stairways, balustrades, and various architectural features. Cross-hatching creates contrast between light and shadow for depth. The structure appears massive, filled with intricate details that suggest an unfathomable scale. The drawing captures an atmosphere of mystery and intricacy, leading the viewer through a maze of corridors and pathways.
Giovanni Battista Piranesi, The Gothic Arch, published 1800/1809, etching, engraving, sulphur tint or open bite, burnishing, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.6998

The Gothic Arch

Giovanni Battista Piranesi · published 1800/1809 · etching, engraving, sulphur tint or open bite, burnishing ·  Accession ID  1943.3.6998
This is a drawing of an intricate and architectural fantasy interior. The composition displays a surreal setting filled with an elaborate network of staircases, arches, and beams that interconnect in a labyrinthine manner. Massive stone arches and vaults dominate the space. The dim lighting casts dramatic shadows. Various architectural elements, like ropes and ladders, contribute to the complexity of the scene.
Giovanni Battista Piranesi, The Arch with a Shell Ornament, published 1800/1809, etching, engraving, sulphur tint or open bite, drypoint, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.6996

The Arch with a Shell Ornament

Giovanni Battista Piranesi · published 1800/1809 · etching, engraving, sulphur tint or open bite, drypoint ·  Accession ID  1943.3.6996
This is a photograph of a historical document cover. The document is a title page from the works of Jean Baptiste and François Piranesi, printed in Rome in 1792. The text is in French and includes decorative elements such as a cherubic figure holding architectural tools, surrounded by ornate floral designs and symbols representative of architecture and geometry. There are handwritten annotations at the top. The design suggests it was created with an emphasis on classical aesthetics typical of the late 18th-century print works.
Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Francesco Piranesi, Oeuvres des Chevaliers Jean Baptiste et François Piranesi, 1792, catalogue of works (no illustrations), Purchased as the Gift of Vincent J. Buonanno, 2016.97.1

Oeuvres des Chevaliers Jean Baptiste et François Piranesi

Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Francesco Piranesi · 1792 · catalogue of works (no illustrations) ·  Accession ID  2016.97.1
The image shows intersecting lines and geometric shapes forming arches and bridges. The curving lines, arches, ropes, and pulleys create an abstract architectural scene. Figures appear small against the structures, suggesting workers or travelers. The detailed strokes and play of light and shadow enhance the grandeur of the architecture.
Giovanni Battista Piranesi, The Grand Piazza, 1780s, etching, engraving, sulphur tint or open bite, burnishing [date should be read as "published 1780s"], Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.6990

The Grand Piazza

Giovanni Battista Piranesi · 1780s · etching, engraving, sulphur tint or open bite, burnishing [date should be read as "published 1780s"] ·  Accession ID  1943.3.6990
The image displays intersecting lines and geometric shapes forming an abstract composition. There are massive stone blocks, a skeletal framework, crisscrossing beams, arches, overgrown vegetation, and small figures on the rocks.
Giovanni Battista Piranesi, The Giant Wheel, 1780s, etching, engraving [date should be read as "published 1780s"], Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.6993

The Giant Wheel

Giovanni Battista Piranesi · 1780s · etching, engraving [date should be read as "published 1780s"] ·  Accession ID  1943.3.6993
This is a drawing of an architectural space filled with arches and staircases. The image depicts a grand and complex interior. The scene features multiple arches and staircases leading in different directions, creating a maze-like atmosphere. Light and shadow add depth to the structure, and detailed textures emphasize the stone materials. The composition conveys a sense of mystery and grandeur, with intricate details capturing attention to the scale and masonry work.
Giovanni Battista Piranesi, The Sawhorse, 1780s, etching, engraving, sulphur tint or open bite, scratching [date should be read as "published 1780s"], Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.6997

The Sawhorse

Giovanni Battista Piranesi · 1780s · etching, engraving, sulphur tint or open bite, scratching [date should be read as "published 1780s"] ·  Accession ID  1943.3.6997
The image displays four ancient objects: two shields with elaborate designs, a helmet with a crest and decorative figure, and an axe-like weapon with a long handle. The color scheme is primarily grayscale, emphasizing the textures and details. The shields are at the top, with an elongated shield on the left and a rounded shield on the right. Below them, the helmet is situated on the right side, showcasing its design. The axe-like weapon crosses diagonally beneath the shields, and beneath it is a piece of paper with text on it leaning against the handle.
Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Trofei di Ottaviano Augusto Innalzati per la Vittoria ad Actium e Conquista dell'Egitto con Vari Altri Ornamenti Antichi, 1753 (actually first Paris edition, 1800-1807), 1 vol: ill:, Mark J. Millard Architectural Collection, David K.E. Bruce Fund, 1985.61.2622

Trofei di Ottaviano Augusto Innalzati per la Vittoria ad Actium e Conquista dell'Egitto con Vari Altri Ornamenti Antichi

Giovanni Battista Piranesi · 1753 (actually first Paris edition, 1800-1807) · 1 vol: ill: ·  Accession ID  1985.61.2622