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Giovanni Battista Piranesi

746 works

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Etching of ruined Corinthian columns and walls of the Temple of Cybele with small figures among the stones.

Remains of the Temple of Cybele (Avanzi del Tempio di Cibele)

18th century

Etching of a stone archway framing a view of arcades, an obelisk, and small figures in a distant plaza.

The Grand Piazza

published 1749/1750

Etching of tall arches, stairways and smoke rising among small figures in a dense imaginary city.

The Smoking Fire

published 1749/1750

Etching of seven ruined Corinthian columns partly buried in rubble, with tiny figures among the stones under a cloudy sky.

Seven columns of the Temple of Juturna with Corinthian capitals . . . (Sette colonne con capitelli corinti spettanti…

18th century

Etching of a vast vaulted staircase with arches, balustrades, two plumed trophy sculptures, and small figures below.

The Staircase with Trophies

published 1749/1750

Etching of a huge curved wheel above stacked stone blocks and ruins, with tiny figures working on the machinery.

The Giant Wheel

published 1749/1750

Etching of a vaulted ancient school with Egyptian hieroglyph-covered portal, opening onto a temple and column in a piazza.

Ancient school built according to the Egyptian and Greek manners (Scuola antica architettata all'Egiziana e alla Greca)

1750

Etching of vast vaulted hall with prisoners on a railed platform beside a suspended chain and hook, by Piranesi.

Prisoners on a Projecting Platform

published 1749/1750

Etching of massive vaulted arches with a shell ornament at left and small figures on a stone walkway beneath a lantern.

The Arch with a Shell Ornament

published 1749/1750

Etching of a vast vaulted stone interior with arches, a staircase, workmen, and a wooden sawhorse scaffold at right.

The Sawhorse

published 1749/1750

Etching of a stone well, staircase, timber hoist and chains among crumbling architecture, with small figures on the steps.

The Well

published 1749/1750

Etching of the ruined Arch of Galienus in Rome with figures walking among the weathered stone arch and nearby buildings.

Arch of Galienus. 1. Façade od the Church of S. Vito (Arco di Galieno. 1. Facciata della Chiesa di S. Vito), from "Al…

ca. 1748

Etching of a vaulted interior with a stone pier, lion-head rings, hanging chains and a lamp atop a tall pedestal.

The Pier with a Lamp

published 1749/1750

Etching of a triumphal arch beside a harbor quay with ships' masts, figures, and a distant domed church.

Plate 28: Arch of Trajan in Ancona (Arco di Trajano in Ancona), from "Alcune Vedute di Archi Trionfali ed altri monum…

ca. 1748

Etching of a vast vaulted stone interior with hanging chains, lanterns, a staircase, and two small figures walking in front.

The Pier with Chains

published 1749/1750

Etching of the ruined Tomb of the Curiatii at Albano, with overgrown towers, a bare tree and figures near an inscribed stone.

Plate 27: Tomb of the three Curiatii brothers in Albano (Sepolcro delle tre fratelli Curiati in Albano), from "Alcune…

ca. 1748

Etching of an overgrown ancient temple with columns and ruined arches in the foreground, under a cloudy sky.

Plate 26: Temple of Clitumnus between Foligno and Spoleto... (Tempio di Clitumno tra Fuligno e Spoletti...), from "Al…

ca. 1748

Etching of an ancient amphitheater interior with curved tiered seating, arched arcades, and small figures on the arena floor.

Plate 25: Amphitheater of Verona (Anfiteatro di Verona), from "Alcune Vedute di Archi Trionfali ed altri monumenti in…

ca. 1748

Etching of a ruined Roman triumphal arch with small figures and overgrown walls, by Piranesi, ca. 1750.

Plate 24: Arch of Pola in Istria near the Gate (Arco di Pola in Istria vicino alla Porta), from "Alcune Vedute di Arc…

ca. 1750

Etching of the Pola amphitheater in Istria with tiered arches beside the sea, with boats and figures in the foreground.

Plate 23: Amphitheater of Pola in Istria near the sea (Anfiteatro di Pola in Istria vicino al mare), from "Alcune Ved…

ca. 1748

Etching of a ruined classical temple rear facade with overgrown plants, a smaller building, and figures among trees.

Plate 22: Rear View of the Temple of Pola in Istria. 1. Rear View of another temple. (Rovescio del Tempio di Pola di…

ca. 1748

Etching of the ruined Temple of Pola with Corinthian columns, a pediment, overgrown vegetation and small figures among the ru

Plate 21: Temple of Pola in Istria (Tempio di Pola in Istria), from "Alcune Vedute di Archi Trionfali ed altri monume…

ca. 1748

Etching of the circular Tomb of Caecilia Metella in Rome with an inscribed panel, a ruined arch at right, and figures among t

Plate 20: Tomb of Caecilia Metella called the Capo di Bove (Ox Head) (Sepolcro di Metela detto Capo di Bove), from "A…

ca. 1748

Etching of the curved ruined wall of the Tomb of the Scipios in Rome, overgrown with plants, with figures among stone fragmen

Plate 18: The Tomb of the Scipios (Sepolcro della famiglia de' Scipioni), from "Alcune Vedute di Archi Trionfali ed a…

ca. 1748

Etching of a ruined Roman triumphal arch overgrown with ivy, with a fallen inscribed block and small figures in the street.

Plate 17: The Arch of Rimini built by Augustus (Arco di Rimino fabbricato da Augusto), from "Alcune Vedute di Archi T…

ca. 1748

Etching of an imagined Roman forum with colonnades, loggias, fountains, horse statues and figures walking on the paved square

Ancient Roman forum surrounded by porticoes, with loggias, some of which communicate with the Imperial Palace and oth…

ca. 1750

Etching of an ancient Roman mausoleum with obelisks, urns, colonnades and statues, with small figures on stepped terraces.

Ancient mausoleum erected for the ashes of a Roman Emperor (Mausoleo antico eretto per le ceneri d'un Imperadore Roma…

ca. 1750

Etching of a grand courtyard with columns, arches, fountains with sculpted figures, and steps with small figures.

Group of columns which support two arches of a great courtyard... (Gruppo di Colonne, che regge due archi d'un grande…

ca. 1750

Etching of an imagined ancient temple interior with a coffered dome, Corinthian columns, a grand staircase, and smoking sacre

Imaginery ancient temple designed in the style of those built in honor of the Goddess Vesta... (Tempio antico inventa…

ca. 1750

Etching of an ancient altar with carved reliefs, surrounded by ruined columns, skulls and overgrown plants.

Ancient Altar on which sacrifices were performed in antiquity, surrounded by other ruins (Ara antica sopra la quale s…

ca. 1750

Etching of overgrown Roman tomb ruins with a relief frieze, a waterfall channel, and small figures in the foreground.

Ruins of an ancient tomb in front of ruins of an ancient aqueduct (Ruine di Sepolcro antico posto dinanzi ad altre ru…

ca. 1750

Etching of ancient ruins with a porphyry urn, a palm tree, and small figures among fallen stones and columns.

Remains of ancient buldings among which stands the sepulchral urn of Marcus Agrippa made entirely of porphyry, which…

ca. 1750