PIRANESI Giovanni Battista (1720 - 1778)., "Tempio detto volgarm.te di Giano A. Arco detto degl'Argentieri . . .".

"Tempio detto volgarm.te di Giano A. Arco detto degl'Argentieri . . .".

Etching, signed: "Cavalier Piranesi del e inc". Format: 47.5 x 71 cm (in frame behind glass: 70 x 90.5 cm).
Beautiful large engraving by one of the most outstanding European printmakers, depicting the monumental ruins of the Temple of John. The engraving is included in the series " "Antichità Romane de' Tempi della Repubblica, e de' primi Imperatori" (Antique Ruins from the Times of the Roman Republic and the First Emperors)." The Temple of John was one of the most important monuments in ancient Rome, symbolizing the beginning and end of wars. Piranesi, as an architect and draughtsman, aimed to show not only the technical aspects of the buildings, but also their historical and symbolic significance. Giovanni Battista (or Giambattista) Piranesi (1720 - 1778), Italian graphic artist and architect. He studied in Venice, from where he traveled to Naples, Herculaneum and Pompeii for study. From 1745 he was active in Rome. Piranesi's most important field of activity was the study of architecture and ancient art (especially of Rome), supported by numerous travels, archaeological research, measurements and drawings, which resulted in a very large number (more than 2,000) of graphic works (etchings, copper engravings), depicting mainly views of ancient buildings, archaeological finds. Traces of dampstaining and staining.