Frontispiece for Volume II of Vasi 1778

This etching by Italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) is a frontispiece for Volume II of Vasi. Created in 1778, the piece features a decorative, classical-inspired design including an eagle, a unicorn, a bull, and a variety of urns and other vessels. Piranesi’s intricate detail and use of light and shadow create a sense of grandeur and depth, indicative of his highly regarded architectural and archaeological interests. He is best known for his etchings of Roman ruins and his fantastical, architectural capriccio. This piece demonstrates his impressive ability to translate the architectural grandeur of antiquity into a fine art format.