The Well, from "Carceri d'invenzione" (Imaginary Prisons) 1744 - 1755

"The Well" is one of the 16 etchings from the "Carceri d'invenzione" (Imaginary Prisons) series by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, an Italian artist known for his architectural engravings. Created between 1744 and 1755, the series features fantastical and claustrophobic prisons, often with strange architectural elements, and figures trapped within them. This particular etching is filled with shadowy spaces, imposing structures, and a looming well at the center, adding to the feeling of confinement and mystery that the series is known for. This etching, along with the rest of the series, are considered masterpieces of the etching genre and have influenced artists and writers for centuries.