A Fantastic Vase 1746 - 1747

Curator: Here we have Giovanni Battista Piranesi's ink drawing, "A Fantastic Vase," created around 1746-1747. It’s a compelling piece, capturing the dynamism typical of the Baroque style. Editor: Dynamic is certainly one word for it. I immediately noticed the dizzying effect of the sketched lines and the vase's disproportionate form. There’s a weightiness but also an instability to it, wouldn't you agree? Curator: I think that tension speaks to Piranesi’s technical skill. He masterfully conveys the ornamentation – see the figures seemingly struggling to hold onto the top edge. It creates a sense of theatre, reflective of the era's taste for grand spectacles, don't you think? Editor: Yes, but how was it produced? I'm curious about his choice of ink. The wash gives it such a nebulous, spectral quality, contrasting the precision he was capable of with the etched line. Also, where would such a vase exist, practically? Was it meant as a pattern for artisan production? Curator: The application of ink gives this work a real intensity. The varying thickness describes form but also allows the white of the paper to describe light, reflecting off the rounded forms. I imagine this might have served as a template or proposal, catering to the extravagant tastes of the elite and their need for elaborate decorative pieces in their villas. Editor: I can imagine the intended audience – the emergent bourgeoisie eager to demonstrate wealth and power with imposing items produced by a plethora of anonymous artisan hands. That would, however, place the artist in an unusual position relative to the craftspeople realising the work... Curator: An interesting point. But isn't Piranesi, ultimately, concerned with monumental form? The ink allows an emphasis on volume, texture and surface decoration and suggests the material possibilities of something grand. It’s quite impressive for a simple drawing. Editor: On closer inspection, yes. The play of light is captivating and the subject's grandiosity overwhelms, almost forcing the eye upward. Thanks to this conversation I appreciate the artist's skill at harnessing the fluid qualities of ink and wash for that powerful illusion.