Basilica of San Lorenzo in Rome: A Framed 18th Century Etching by Piranesi
This large framed 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi entitled "Veduta della Basilica di S. Lorenzo fuor della mura" (Basilica of San Lorenzo Outside the Walls), published in Rome in 1750 in Piranesi's Vedute di Roma (Views of Rome), This etching depicts the Basilica of San Lorenzo Outside the Walls, which is a Roman Catholic papal basilica and parish church, located in Rome, Italy. The Basilica is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome and one of the five "papal basilicas". It was built as a shrine to the martyred Roman deacon St. Lawrence.
Creator: Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778, Italian)
Creation Year: 1750
Dimensions: Height: 23.13 in (58.76 cm)
Width: 33 in (83.82 cm)
Depth: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)
Medium: Etching
Condition: See description below.
This large framed 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi entitled "Veduta della Basilica di S. Lorenzo fuor della mura" (Basilica of San Lorenzo Outside the Walls), published in Rome in 1750 in Piranesi's Vedute di Roma (Views of Rome), This etching depicts the Basilica of San Lorenzo Outside the Walls, which is a Roman Catholic papal basilica and parish church, located in Rome, Italy. The Basilica is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome and one of the five "papal basilicas". It was built as a shrine to the martyred Roman deacon St. Lawrence.
Creator: Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778, Italian)
Creation Year: 1750
Dimensions: Height: 23.13 in (58.76 cm)
Width: 33 in (83.82 cm)
Depth: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)
Medium: Etching
Condition: See description below.
This large framed 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi entitled "Veduta della Basilica di S. Lorenzo fuor della mura" (Basilica of San Lorenzo Outside the Walls), published in Rome in 1750 in Piranesi's Vedute di Roma (Views of Rome), This etching depicts the Basilica of San Lorenzo Outside the Walls, which is a Roman Catholic papal basilica and parish church, located in Rome, Italy. The Basilica is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome and one of the five "papal basilicas". It was built as a shrine to the martyred Roman deacon St. Lawrence.
Creator: Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778, Italian)
Creation Year: 1750
Dimensions: Height: 23.13 in (58.76 cm)
Width: 33 in (83.82 cm)
Depth: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)
Medium: Etching
Condition: See description below.
This Piranesi etching is held by many museums and institutions, including: The Metropolitan Museum, The British Museum, The National Gallery of Art, The Yale University Art Gallery, and The Harvard Museum of Art.
This magnificent etching is presented in a brown-colored wood frame and a tan French mat. It is glazed with UV conservation glass. The frame measures 23.13" high by 33" wide by 0.5" deep. There is spotting, most noticeable in the sky in the scene.
Piranesi began collecting, restoring and selling ancient architectural objects in the 1760's in partnership with Thomas Jenkins and Gavin Hamilton, who had financed numerous excavations in the Pantanello area of Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli. In 1768 Piranesi began creating etchings depicting these objects. The plates were eventually published together as a set in 1778 in "Vasi, Candelabri, Cippi, Sarcofagi, Tripodi, Lucerne ed Ornamenti Antichi". Piranesi dedicated many of the plates to patrons, colleagues, good customers and influential people. Many of the antiquities shown in Vasi were eventually sold to King Gustav III of Sweden by Piranesi's son, Francesco Piranesi, after his father’s death, and now reside in the National Museum in Stockholm.
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 was knighted by the Pope in 1765 and he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in England in 1757. 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.
References: Wilton-Ely 1994 211
Focillon 1918 760
Hind 1922 78
