Veduta degli avanzi del Foro di Nerva, l'arcade et la muraille (The Forum of Augustus [erroneously called the Forum of Nerva]) by Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Veduta degli avanzi del Foro di Nerva, l'arcade et la muraille (The Forum of Augustus [erroneously called the Forum of Nerva]) 1757

drawing, print

architectural sketch

scripture like structure

drawing

amateur sketch

aged paper

print

old engraving style

sketch book

incomplete sketchy

personal sketchbook

pen-ink sketch

horse

men

heavy shading

Giovanni Battista Piranesi's 1757 etching, "Veduta degli avanzi del Foro di Nerva," showcases the artist's fascination with Roman ruins. The dramatic perspective emphasizes the imposing grandeur of the Forum of Nerva, though mistakenly labeled in the artwork as the Forum of Augustus. Piranesi's signature meticulous detail brings to life the textured surfaces of the ancient brickwork and stone, highlighting the architectural remnants of this once-grand space. His work exemplifies the 18th-century artistic movement of Romanticism, focusing on the evocative power of ruins and the sublime beauty of the past.