Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Vaso Cinerario di Gran Mole from Vases, Candelabras, Grave, Stones..., Etching

Well-knowned as an architect and an archaeologist, undoubtedly Giovanni Battista Piranesi, is the most important engraver of the 18th century: the leading artist in this field in the period going from Rembrandt to Goya. Generations after him would continue to imagine Ancient Rome as he portrayed it in his magnificent “Vedute”. In the last period, Piranesi’s activities, above all as an editor, were characterised by a more commercial flavour. By this time he was already very famous, and created the series of decorative plates of antiquities, collected in his work “Vasi, candelabri, cippi, sarcofagi, tripodi, lucerne, ed ornamenti antichi disegnati ed incisi dal cav. Gio. Batt. Piranesi pubblicati l’anno MDCCLXXIIX”, 1778, (Vases, candelabras, grave,stones,sarcophagi,tripods, lamps, and ornaments designed and etched by Cav. Gio.Batt. Piranesi, published in the year 1778), printed and integrated by his son Francesco. Posthumous work, it is a compendium of various items of Roman furniture, will make the rules as regards Neoclassical furniture fashion and flavour in European affluent salons of 17-18 th century. A fine proof, printed on contemporary filigree laid paper, wide margins, showing an antique marble great deal vase, whose details are described in the ending note. The piece is dedicated, as in the header, to “Sir Guglielmo Constable, English Cavaliere, patron of fine arts, as a mark of profound respect, Cavaliere Gio. Batta. Piranesi D.D.D.”. Not signed. In very good conditions. Lightly browned paper with usual folds, and some tiny marks, tiny stitching holes in the higher margin. Left flap lightly eroded. References: L. FICACCI, Piranesi, The Complete Etchings, Taschen, Roma, 2000, p.607, fig.768. A.A.V.V., Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Architetture, fantasie e grotteschi, Antichità Romane, Catalogo 24, Antiquarius, Roma, 2004, p. 72 This artwork is shipped from Italy. Under existing legislation, any artwork in Italy created over 50 years ago by an artist who has died requires a licence for export regardless of the work’s market price. The shipping may require additional handling days to require the licence according to the final destination of the artwork.