Hand-colored Piranesi Urn. Large print on cream paper.

$90.00

A grand image of a vase. Hand-coloured reproduction from a copperplate etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) for his Vasi Candelabri Cippi y Sarcofagi Tripodi Lucerne ed Ornamenti Antichi (Roman antique artifacts and ornaments), originally published in Rome between 1773 and 1778.

Giovanni Battista Piranesi’s absorption with Roman archaeology was acknowledged by his election as Honorary Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in London in 1757, after publication of his etchings of the antiquities of Rome for Vedute di Roma. His love of classical antiquity was reflected in his imaginative restoration of antiquities he found, restored and sold, and his incorporation of elements from them into creations for his patrons and collectors. In 1766 Piranesi was awarded the Order of the Spur by Pope Clement XIII, and from then on he usually signed his work Cavalier Piranesi.

Paper size 67 x 54.5cm (26.3/4 x 21.1/2 inches) To the platemark measures 60 x 46cm (23.5/8 x 18.1/8 inches). Faint blemish at lower right side above the title. (Framed with a green matt would make this almost undetectible.)

(For slightly higher price this print is available with green mount, and covered with cellophane for protection, ready for frame. Please arrange collection prior to payment.)