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Plate 4, Volume 3

Print
ca. 1750 (engraved), 1803-1807 (produced)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Portrait format engraving in black and white of a detail of part of the wall which surrounded the grand Ustrino area on the Appian way. The engraving depicts both the surface level wall, and the foundations for the wall. These are differentiated by the ground, and a tree, which is not to scale, it is much smaller in comparison to the bricks. Piranesi has included all of the measurements of the individual bricks in the engravings, and the calculations which he used to formulate the plan. The letters A-I provide a key, which is explained in Italian at the bottom of the engraving.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitlePlate 4, Volume 3 (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
engraving, paper
Brief description
'Plate 4, Volume 3,' engraving from Le Antichita Romane di Giambatista Piranesi, Volume 3, Giovanni Piranesi, ca. 1750, volume bound together in Paris by Tessier, 1803-1807.
Physical description
Portrait format engraving in black and white of a detail of part of the wall which surrounded the grand Ustrino area on the Appian way. The engraving depicts both the surface level wall, and the foundations for the wall. These are differentiated by the ground, and a tree, which is not to scale, it is much smaller in comparison to the bricks. Piranesi has included all of the measurements of the individual bricks in the engravings, and the calculations which he used to formulate the plan. The letters A-I provide a key, which is explained in Italian at the bottom of the engraving.
Dimensions
  • Height: 55.4cm
  • Width: 41.1cm
Marks and inscriptions
A. Parte della gran Muraglia, la quale circondava la grand' Area dell'Ustrino. Ella è composta di grossi Peperini, esattamente connessi, e lavorati all rustica, tanto dalla parte, quanto in quella di fuori, alcuni de quali di tratto in tratto sono tra loro incastrati. B. Regolone formato d'altri Peperini, posti per traverso, il quale serve di Bassamto al Muro. C. Spaccato del Fianco del Muro. D. Piano, che gira nella parte di dentro all'interno del Muro. E. Altro Recinto interiore parimte di peperino fabbricato, il quale riparava la detta Muraglia dal fucco. F. Area lastricata di Peperino, ove si abbruciavano i Corpi. G. Piano antico. H. Piano moderno. I. Questa gra Muragli essendo nella sommità molto ineguale, e maltrattata dal tempo, si può credere, chefosse più alta acciò ancora le Ceneri de' Corpi abbrucciati non potessero si di leggeri portarsi dal vento fuori del Recinto. (The inscription explains the letters which are dotted about the engraving, highlighting different aspects. )
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Association
Bibliographic references
  • From departmental notes.
  • From the bookbinders' label on the inside cover of Volume 3 of 'Le Antichita Romane di Giambatista Piranesi.'
Collection
Accession number
E.4101-1908

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
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