The smoking fire 1748 - 1749

"The smoking fire" is an etching by Italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi, created between 1748 and 1749. The artwork is a dramatic depiction of a fantastical architectural structure, seemingly in ruin, with smoke billowing from its center. Piranesi's masterful use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and mystery, characteristic of his "capricci" series, imaginary architectural scenes that explore the ruins of Rome and the power of the sublime. This etching is a prime example of Piranesi's unique vision and his fascination with the grandeur of architecture, even in its decay.