Arch of Vespasian by Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Arch of Vespasian 1775

print, etching, engraving

pencil drawn

aged paper

light pencil work

print

etching

pencil sketch

old engraving style

charcoal drawing

charcoal art

pen-ink sketch

italy

engraving

pencil art

watercolor

"Arch of Vespasian" is an etching by renowned Italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi, created in 1775. The print depicts the Arch of Titus in Rome, a triumphal arch erected in 81 CE to commemorate the victory over the Jewish rebellion. Piranesi’s rendering showcases the arch’s grandeur and intricate details, including the inscription on its face, which provides historical context. The artist masterfully captures the dramatic ruin of the ancient structure, immersing viewers in the atmosphere of Roman decay and beauty. This print exemplifies Piranesi’s fascination with classical architecture and his skill in depicting the power and ephemerality of the past.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Even the ancients recycled their architecture. The Porta Maggiore was originally built as a decorated segment of two aqueducts (structures for channeling water) built in 52 CE. The aqueducts brought Romans fresh water from sources miles away. The loss of adjacent segments of stonework has revealed two openings on the left side of the upper section, showing where water passed through the Porta Maggiore. In addition, two major roads ran through its larger arches. Later planners filled in the arches to incorporate this structure into the walled fortification surrounding Rome, and it became the main gate on the city’s east side.