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Le Antichità Romane, tome 2

Publisher Angelo Rotili Italian
published 1756–57
Not on view
The lengthy essay that opens the 'Diverse maniere' is dedicated to Cardinal Rezzonico, nephew of Pope Clement XIII and one of Piranesi's ardent supporters, but is clearly intended for a wide audience, given the parallel texts in Italian, English, and French. Whereas the Antichità Romane was a scholarly work, directed to antiquarians and architects, this publication is addressed primarily to designers, encouraging them to follow Piranesi's lead in giving their imagination free reign. Piranesi states forthrightly that an artist should not merely copy but instead "ought to show himself of an inventive, and I had almost said, of a Creating Genius ..." Here Piranesi draws on three decades of study of Roman ornament to create new variants and bizarre combinations, but he also introduces the decorative vocabulary of Etruscan, Greek, and Egyptian art—appearing to revel particularly in the latter. Piranesi claimed that by combining these styles, modern designers could find their way to "new ornaments and new manners. Some of the fireplace designs illustrated in this publication, many of which incorporate ancient relief sculpture, were executed for British clients and still survive. Piranesi is also known to have designed furniture for Cardinal Rezzonico.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Le Antichità Romane, tome 2
  • Series/Portfolio: Le Antichità Romane, tome II
  • Artist: Giovanni Battista Piranesi (Italian, Mogliano Veneto 1720–1778 Rome)
  • Publisher: Angelo Rotili , Rome
  • Date: published 1756–57
  • Medium: Etching
  • Dimensions: Overall: 21 5/8 x 16 3/4 x 2 3/16 in. (55 x 42.5 x 5.5 cm)
  • Classifications: Albums, Prints, Ornament & Architecture
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, transferred from the Library
  • Object Number: 41.71.1.2
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

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Title Page, tome 2, tavola 1 from "Le Antichità Romane" (Roman Antiquities)
Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Angelo Rotili
published 1756–57
Table of Contents in this Second Volume and in the Third, tome 2, tavola 3 from "Le Antichità Romane" (Roman Antiquities)
Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Angelo Rotili
published 1756–57
Ancient Intersection of the Via Appia and Via Ardentina Viewed at the Second Milestone Outside of the Porta Capena, tome 2, tavola 2 from "Le Antichità Romane" (Roman Antiquities)
Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Angelo Rotili
published 1756–57
Plan of the Remains of Walls, Built of Travertine, in the Tomb of C. Publicius..., tome 2, tavola 4 from "Le Antichità Romane" (Roman Antiquities)
Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Angelo Rotili
published 1756–57
Details of the Principal Parts of the Tomb of C. Publicius, tome 2, tavola 5 from "Le Antichità Romane" (Roman Antiquities)
Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Angelo Rotili
published 1756–57

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