Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Fabricius (Ponte Cestio) Bridge : Framed 18th C. Piranesi Architectural Etching

1756-1757

About the Item

This framed 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi is entitled "Dimostransi nella Tav. presente la Pianta, ed Elevazione del Ponte, oggi detto Quattro Capi egli è antichissimo, e chiamavasi Fabrizio da L. Fabrizio Presid. delle Strade, che lo fabbrico' nel fine della Repubblica. "(The Plan and Elevation of the Bridge, today called Quattro Capi. The architect is very ancient, and was called Fabrizio da L. Fabrizio Presid. delle Strade, who built it at the end of the Republic). This is plate 18 in volume 4 of Piranesi's "Le antichita romane opera di Giambatista Piranesi architetto veneziano" (Roman antiquities by Giambatista Piranesi Venetian architect). It was published in Rome in 1756-1757. This etching depicts the plan and elevation of the bridge now called the Ponte dei Quattoro Capi or Ponte Cestio (Bridge of the Four Heads), which in antiquity was called the Bridge of Fabricius after L. Fabricius, the Superintendant of the Streets who built it at the end of the Republic, around 62 BC. It was also been known in the Middle Ages as ‘Ponte Giudeo’ (Bridge of the Jews). The bridge crossed from the left bank or northeast side of the Tiber River to Tiber Island. The left side of the image is occupied by the riverside structures of the former Ghetto. The focal point of the composition is the Pons Fabricius with its central pier with three men standing on top. Another bridge and multiple important architectural landmarks are seen in the background, which are labelled with numerous and letters and identified in the inscription below. This Piranesi etching is held by many museums and institutions, including: The Metropolitan Museum Art in New York and The Riksmuseum in Amsterdam.. This etching is presented in a black wood frame and a white mat. The frame measures 25.63" high, 30.5" wide and 0.63" deep. There is a central fold, as issued. There is mild waviness of the upper edge on the right and small faint spots. The etching is otherwise in very good condition. Piranesi was born in Venice in 1720 and died in Rome in 1778. He was the son of a stone mason and was trained as an architect. He began working on his first etchings in the early 1740s, and after a slow start by the 1750's he had achieved great success as an architect, archaeologist, artist, designer, collector, and antiquities dealer. His mission was to glorify the architecture of ancient Rome through his etchings. Piranesi's etchings were highly detailed and captured the grandeur of Rome's ancient ruins and architectural marvels. He used a combination of realism and imagination to create dramatic compositions that were both accurate and awe-inspiring. His highly dramatized prints often depict imaginary interiors and frequently include figures in mysterious activities, who are dwarfed by the magnitude of their monumental surroundings. Piranesi also began collecting, restoring and selling ancient architectural objects in the 1760's in partnership with Thomas Jenkins and Gavin Hamilton, who had financed numerous excavations in the Pantanello area of Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli. In 1768 Piranesi began creating etchings depicting these objects. The plates were eventually published together as a set in 1778 in "Vasi, Candelabri, Cippi, Sarcofagi, Tripodi, Lucerne ed Ornamenti Antichi". Piranesi dedicated many of the plates to patrons, colleagues, good customers and influential people. Many of the antiquities shown in "Vasi" were eventually sold to King Gustav III of Sweden by Piranesi's son, Francesco Piranesi, after his father’s death, and now reside in the National Museum in Stockholm. In addition to his art, Piranesi also designed buildings and interiors in Rome, including the Church of Santa Maria del Priorato and the Villa Adriana in Tivoli. He also wrote several books on archaeology and ancient art. He was also a collector of ancient architectural objects, restoring and often selling them to European tourists. Piranesi was knighted by the Pope in 1765 and he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in England in 1757. Piranesi's style greatly influenced the development of neoclassical art movement of the late 18th century and early 19th centuries. His dramatic scenes inspired generations of set designers, as well as artists, architects and writers. Piranesi died on November 9, 1778, in Rome, Italy, at the age of 58. He is remembered today as one of the greatest artists and architects of the 18th century, whose work continues to inspire and fascinate people around the world. His prints have continued to increase in value to institutions and collectors.
  • Creator:
    Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778, Italian)
  • Creation Year:
    1756-1757
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 25.63 in (65.11 cm)Width: 30.5 in (77.47 cm)Depth: 0.36 in (9.15 mm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
    1750-1759
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Alamo, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: # 49861stDibs: LU1173211977892

More From This Seller

View All
Hadrian's Mausoleum, Castel S. Angelo: A Framed 18th Century Etching by Piranesi
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
This large framed 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi entitled "Veduta del Mausoleo d'Elio Adriana ora chiamato Castello S. Angelo nella parte opposta alla Facciata de...
Category

1750s Old Masters Landscape Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Temple Architecture: An 18th Century Framed Etching by Piranesi
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi entitled "Veduta del Tempio detto della Tosse su la Via Tiburtina, un miglio vicino a Tivoli" (View of the so-called Tem...
Category

1760s Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

The Basilica of St. Paul in Rome, Early 19th Century Etching by Luigi Rossini
By Luigi Rossini
Located in Alamo, CA
"Rovina della gran Basilica di S. Paolo fueri le mura accaduta" (View of the Ruins of the Great Triumphal Arch of S. Paolo Fuori le Mura) from "Le Antichita Romane" (Ancient Rome), published in Rome in 1823. It depicts the destruction of the Basilica of St. Paul after the fire of 1823. People stand in the road and on the right observing the damage amid debris, which includes many fragments of columns. The etching is presented in a silver-color wood frame with an off-white double mat with a black inner mat. There are a few small spots, but it is otherwise in very good condition. See item # LU117324669722 for another Rossini etching...
Category

1820s Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Giovanni Piranesi Etching of Ancient Roman Architecture, 18th Century
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
"Veduta del Sepolcro della Famiglia Plauzia per la Strada Che Conduce da Roma a Tivoli vicino a Ponte Lugano" from "Le Antichità Romane" (Roman Antiquities), one of the most famous works by Piranesi. "Antichita" illustrates the tombs along the Appian Way...
Category

Early 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching, Engraving, Drypoint

Piranesi Etching of Ancient Roman Architectural Objects, "A sua Eccellenza"
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
"A sua Eccellenza il Signor Henry Hope Cav. Scozzese Amatore delle Belle Arti from "Vasi, Candelabri, Cippi, Sarcofagi, Tripodi, Lucerne, Ed Ornamenti Antichi", (Vases, candelabra, grave stones, sarcophagi, tripods, lamps, and ancient ornaments) is an etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, published in 1778. It depicts stone caryatids...
Category

1770s Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ruins of the Roman Baths of Belisarius: A 19th C. Etching by Luigi Rossini
By Luigi Rossini
Located in Alamo, CA
This early 19th century etching entitled "Veduta degl' Avanzi delle Torri di Belisario Dalla parte che guarda l' Interno della Città, vicino a Porta S. Giovanni, A. Mura Aureliane" (...
Category

1820s Old Masters Landscape Prints

Materials

Etching

You May Also Like

With King's Privilege - Original Etching by Pierre Charles Trémolières - 18th
Located in Roma, IT
With King's Privilege is an Original Etching (chez Huquier) realized by Pierre Charles Trémolières (1703-1739 Paris). The artwork is in good condition on a yellowed paper, included ...
Category

18th Century Old Masters Landscape Prints

Materials

Etching

Le Repos Pendant la Fuitre en Egypte - Original Lithograph - 17th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Le Repos Pendant la Fuitre en Egypte is an original Lithograph realized by an unknown artist of Italian School in 17th Century. Good condition on a yellowed paper. No signature.
Category

17th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Le Repos Pendant la Fuitre en Egypte - Original Lithograph - 17th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Le Repos Pendant la Fuitre en Egypte is an original Etching realized by an unknown French artist in 17th century. Late 18th century edition. Good condition except for a missing co...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Palazzo Borghese - Etching by Giuseppe Vasi - 1747
By Giuseppe Vasi
Located in Roma, IT
Palazzo Borghese is original black and white etching realized by Giuseppe Vasi . Beautiful etching representing Palazzo Borghese in Rome. Signed and...
Category

Mid-18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Palazzo Odescalchi - Etching by Giuseppe Vasi - 1754
By Giuseppe Vasi
Located in Roma, IT
Palazzo Odescalchi is original black and white etching realized by Giuseppe Vasi in 1754 Beautiful etching representing Palazzo Odescalchi in Rome. Signed and titled on plate lower...
Category

Mid-18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Landschap Met Vierkante Toren - Engraving after Rembrandt - 19th Century
By Charles Amand Durand
Located in Roma, IT
Landschap Met Vierkante Toren is an engraving on ivory-colored paper realized by Charles Amand Durand after an etching by Rembrandt dated 1650. This wonderful piece of art belongs to...
Category

19th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Recently Viewed

View All