18th C. Piranesi Fireplace Designs based on Ancient Architectural Styles
These two Giovanni Battista Piranesi 18th century etchings of fireplace designs on one sheet is plate 6 from his publication 'Diverse Maniere d'adornare i cammini ed ogni altra parte degli edifizi desunte dall'architettura Egizia, Etrusca, e Greca con un Ragionamento Apologetico in defesa dell'Architettura Egizia, e Toscana, opera del Cavaliere Giambattista Piranesi Architetto" (Diverse Ways of ornamenting chimneypieces and all other parts of houses taken from Egyptian, Etruscan, and Grecian architecture with an Apologia in defense of the Egyptian and Tuscan architecture, the work of Cavaliere Giambattista Piranesi), published in Rome in 1769. These etchings depict two of Piranesi's fireplace creations that were designed in a neoclassical style, influenced by Greek, Etruscan and Egyptian architecture. Piranesi's fireplace and other architectural object designs were an effort to encourage the incorporation of these ancient styles into more contemporary architecture. Several private homes of wealthy families in England and elsewhere, such as Burghley House in Lincolnshire, utilized Piranesi’s designs.
Creator: Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778, Italian)
Creation Year: 1769
Dimensions: Height: 22.13 in (56.22 cm)
Width: 16.13 in (40.98 cm)
Medium: Etching
Condition: See description below.
These two Giovanni Battista Piranesi 18th century etchings of fireplace designs on one sheet is plate 6 from his publication 'Diverse Maniere d'adornare i cammini ed ogni altra parte degli edifizi desunte dall'architettura Egizia, Etrusca, e Greca con un Ragionamento Apologetico in defesa dell'Architettura Egizia, e Toscana, opera del Cavaliere Giambattista Piranesi Architetto" (Diverse Ways of ornamenting chimneypieces and all other parts of houses taken from Egyptian, Etruscan, and Grecian architecture with an Apologia in defense of the Egyptian and Tuscan architecture, the work of Cavaliere Giambattista Piranesi), published in Rome in 1769. These etchings depict two of Piranesi's fireplace creations that were designed in a neoclassical style, influenced by Greek, Etruscan and Egyptian architecture. Piranesi's fireplace and other architectural object designs were an effort to encourage the incorporation of these ancient styles into more contemporary architecture. Several private homes of wealthy families in England and elsewhere, such as Burghley House in Lincolnshire, utilized Piranesi’s designs.
Creator: Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778, Italian)
Creation Year: 1769
Dimensions: Height: 22.13 in (56.22 cm)
Width: 16.13 in (40.98 cm)
Medium: Etching
Condition: See description below.
These two Giovanni Battista Piranesi 18th century etchings of fireplace designs on one sheet is plate 6 from his publication 'Diverse Maniere d'adornare i cammini ed ogni altra parte degli edifizi desunte dall'architettura Egizia, Etrusca, e Greca con un Ragionamento Apologetico in defesa dell'Architettura Egizia, e Toscana, opera del Cavaliere Giambattista Piranesi Architetto" (Diverse Ways of ornamenting chimneypieces and all other parts of houses taken from Egyptian, Etruscan, and Grecian architecture with an Apologia in defense of the Egyptian and Tuscan architecture, the work of Cavaliere Giambattista Piranesi), published in Rome in 1769. These etchings depict two of Piranesi's fireplace creations that were designed in a neoclassical style, influenced by Greek, Etruscan and Egyptian architecture. Piranesi's fireplace and other architectural object designs were an effort to encourage the incorporation of these ancient styles into more contemporary architecture. Several private homes of wealthy families in England and elsewhere, such as Burghley House in Lincolnshire, utilized Piranesi’s designs.
Creator: Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778, Italian)
Creation Year: 1769
Dimensions: Height: 22.13 in (56.22 cm)
Width: 16.13 in (40.98 cm)
Medium: Etching
Condition: See description below.
These etchings are printed on a thick chain-linked, laid and watermarked paper with wide margins. The sheet measures 22.13" high and 16.13" wide. There is a short crease present in the upper margin, to the right of midline and a horizontal crease in the lower margin of the upper fireplace etching, which may have occurred during the 18th century process of paper manufacture or printing. There are a small number of tiny spots in the margins and mild discoloration centrally, but the print is otherwise in very good condition. The etching is held by many museums, including; The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Cooper Hewitt Museum Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City. Reference: Wilton-Ely Number 859.
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 studies of the antiquities of Rome was one of the great archaeological, historical and artistic works of its era. His 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, writers and historians. In 1757 Piranesi was elected as an Honorary Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. His prints have continued to increase in value to institutions and collectors.
