Physical description

Landscape format engraving in black and white of a view of an ancient amphitheatre and the Basilica of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem in Rome. The ancient amphitheatre takes up the majority of the picture, and the Basilica in the background. There are plants growing out of the ruins, and people are depicted in the bottom right hand corner.

Place of Origin

Italy (engraved)
Paris (This volume was bound and published in Paris between 1803-1807., produced)

Date

ca. 1750 (engraved)
1803-1807 (produced)

Artist/maker

Piranesi, Giovanni Battista, born 1720 - died 1778 (Engraver)
Tessier (bookbinder)

Materials and Techniques

Engraving, paper

Marks and inscriptions

Veduta dell avanzo dell Anfiteatro Castrense. A. Archi del prim ordine anfiteatro turati da Aureliano par farlo servire al recinto di Roma. B. Avanzo del second ordine. C. Muri moderno. D. Mura Urbane. E. Basilica di S. Croce in Gerusalemme
The inscription explains the key, pointing out different features of the engraving. For example, D. points out the city walls, and E. points out the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem.

Dimensions

Height: 56.6 cm approx, Width: 39.1 cm approx

Object history note

The collection of volumes was previously owned by Decimus Burton and his bookplate is pasted in the inside cover of this volume.

Descriptive line

'Figure 2, page 9,' engraving from Le Antichita Romane di Giambatista Piranesi, Volume 1, Giovanni Piranesi, ca. 1750, volume bound together in Paris by Tessier, 1803-1807.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

From departmental notes.
From the bookbinders sticker on the inside cover of Volume 1 of 'Le Antichita Romane di Giambatista Piranesi.'

Materials

Paper

Techniques

Engraving

Subjects depicted

Ruins; Architecture

Categories

Prints; Architecture

Collection

Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection