Ancient Roman Marble Vase: 18th C. Piranesi Etching Vaso Cinerario di Gran Mole
"Vaso Cinerario di Gran Mole. Le Teste dei Giovenchi mostrano di reggere it pesante Festone composto di Frutti Fiori Grans ed use. Il tuto Necefsario all Vita Umana. Il Restante degli Ornamenti com Gliuccelli Formano un Vago Intreccio nel Corpo del Vaso" is an etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, first published in Rome in 1768. It is plate 38 from Piranesi's monumental work "Vasi, Candelabri, Cippi, Sarcofagi, Tripodi, Lucerne, Ed Ornamenti Antichi", (Vases, candelabra, grave stones, sarcophagi, tripods, lamps, and ancient ornaments). It depicts an ancient Roman marble cinary vase. The vase is quite elaborate with ornate sweeping handles, a lid and it is decorated with the two rams heads, two birds, fruit (perhaps a cluster of grapes), vines and flowers. The inscription at the top reads: "Al Signor Guglielmo Constable Cavaliere Inglese amatore delle belle Arti. In atto d'Ossequio il Cavaliere Gio. Bata Piranesi D.D.D.", which roughly translates: To Mr. Guglielmo Constable English Knight, lover of fine arts. In the act of homage from the Knight Gio. Bata Piranesi D.D.D. Piranesi was, in fact, knighted by the Pope in 1765 and he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in England in 1757.
Creator: Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778, Italian)
Creation Year: 1768-1778
Dimensions: Height: 21.25 in (53.98 cm)
Width: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)
Medium: Etching
Condition: See description below.
"Vaso Cinerario di Gran Mole. Le Teste dei Giovenchi mostrano di reggere it pesante Festone composto di Frutti Fiori Grans ed use. Il tuto Necefsario all Vita Umana. Il Restante degli Ornamenti com Gliuccelli Formano un Vago Intreccio nel Corpo del Vaso" is an etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, first published in Rome in 1768. It is plate 38 from Piranesi's monumental work "Vasi, Candelabri, Cippi, Sarcofagi, Tripodi, Lucerne, Ed Ornamenti Antichi", (Vases, candelabra, grave stones, sarcophagi, tripods, lamps, and ancient ornaments). It depicts an ancient Roman marble cinary vase. The vase is quite elaborate with ornate sweeping handles, a lid and it is decorated with the two rams heads, two birds, fruit (perhaps a cluster of grapes), vines and flowers. The inscription at the top reads: "Al Signor Guglielmo Constable Cavaliere Inglese amatore delle belle Arti. In atto d'Ossequio il Cavaliere Gio. Bata Piranesi D.D.D.", which roughly translates: To Mr. Guglielmo Constable English Knight, lover of fine arts. In the act of homage from the Knight Gio. Bata Piranesi D.D.D. Piranesi was, in fact, knighted by the Pope in 1765 and he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in England in 1757.
Creator: Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778, Italian)
Creation Year: 1768-1778
Dimensions: Height: 21.25 in (53.98 cm)
Width: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)
Medium: Etching
Condition: See description below.
"Vaso Cinerario di Gran Mole. Le Teste dei Giovenchi mostrano di reggere it pesante Festone composto di Frutti Fiori Grans ed use. Il tuto Necefsario all Vita Umana. Il Restante degli Ornamenti com Gliuccelli Formano un Vago Intreccio nel Corpo del Vaso" is an etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, first published in Rome in 1768. It is plate 38 from Piranesi's monumental work "Vasi, Candelabri, Cippi, Sarcofagi, Tripodi, Lucerne, Ed Ornamenti Antichi", (Vases, candelabra, grave stones, sarcophagi, tripods, lamps, and ancient ornaments). It depicts an ancient Roman marble cinary vase. The vase is quite elaborate with ornate sweeping handles, a lid and it is decorated with the two rams heads, two birds, fruit (perhaps a cluster of grapes), vines and flowers. The inscription at the top reads: "Al Signor Guglielmo Constable Cavaliere Inglese amatore delle belle Arti. In atto d'Ossequio il Cavaliere Gio. Bata Piranesi D.D.D.", which roughly translates: To Mr. Guglielmo Constable English Knight, lover of fine arts. In the act of homage from the Knight Gio. Bata Piranesi D.D.D. Piranesi was, in fact, knighted by the Pope in 1765 and he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in England in 1757.
Creator: Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778, Italian)
Creation Year: 1768-1778
Dimensions: Height: 21.25 in (53.98 cm)
Width: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)
Medium: Etching
Condition: See description below.
The etching is printed on heavy laid, chain-linked, watermarked paper. There is a barely visible central horizontal fold, as issued. It has been trimmed just outside the plate marks and there is faint spotting throughout. There is a 1.75" vertical linear mark in the upper margin on the left which most likely occurred at the time of printing. The print is otherwise in very good condition.
Piranesi was born in Venice in 1720 and died in Rome in 1778. He was the son of a stone mason and was trained as an architect. After a slow start he eventually achieved great success as an architect, archaeologist, artist, designer, collector, and antiquities dealer. His mission was to glorify the architecture of ancient Rome through his engravings and etchings. His highly dramatized prints often depict imaginary interiors and frequently include figures in mysterious activities, who are dwarfed by the magnitude of their monumental surroundings.
Piranesi's style greatly influenced the neoclassical art movement of the late 18th century. His dramatic scenes inspired generations of set designers, as well as artists, architects and writers. His prints have continued to increase in value to institutions and collectors.
