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

$1,375
£1,039.04
€1,199.84
CA$1,921.35
A$2,131.91
CHF 1,116.74
MX$26,142.88
NOK 14,204.52
SEK 13,408.46
DKK 8,947.95
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

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
Ancient Roman Architecture: Original Framed 18th C. Etching by G. Piranesi
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 18th C. Etching "Reliquiae Theartri Pompejani" an Ancient Roman Theater
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
This a framed Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) etching entitled "Reliquiae Theartri Pompejani" (Remains of the Theatre of Pompey) from "Il Campo Marzio dell'Antica Roma" (The Campus Martius of Ancient Rome), published in Rome in 1762. It depicts the remains of an ancient theater in Rome with exposed seating and an arch still standing in the foreground. An inset shows an architectural side view of a portion of the structure. The etching is presented in an antiqued silver-colored wood frame with a cream-colored French mat. The frame measures 24" x 20.75" x 1.25". The print is in excellent condition. The Theatre of Pompey (Latin: Theatrum Pompeii, Italian: Teatro di Pompeo) was a structure in Ancient Rome built during the latter part of the Roman Republican era by Pompey the Great...
Category

Mid-18th Century Old Masters Landscape Prints

Materials

Etching

18th Century Etching of Ancient Roman Architectural Objects by Giovanni Piranesi
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
A. Tigna Protensa Super Media Epistylia, B. Praecisiones Tigorum Quaqua Versus Extrinsectus Apparentium, C. Opae Extremitates Tigorum Contintes, Fig. I, plate 88 from "Vasi, Candelab...
Category

Mid-18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Piranesi Etching of Hadrian's Ancient Roman Aqueduct and Baths, "Aquae Virginis"
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a framed Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) etching entitled "Orthographia utriusque lateris arcuum ductus Aquae Virginis a specu principe ad Hadriani thermas, effossorum...
Category

Mid-18th Century Old Masters Landscape Prints

Materials

Etching

Basilica of San Lorenzo in Rome: 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 della Basilica di S. Lorenzo fuor della mura" (Basilica of San Lorenzo Outside the Walls), published in Rome in 1750 in Piranesi's Vedute di Roma (Views of Rome), This etching depicts the Basilica of San Lorenzo Outside the Walls, which is a Roman Catholic papal basilica and parish church, located in Rome, Italy. The Basilica is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome and one of the five "papal basilicas". It was built as a shrine to the martyred Roman deacon St. Lawrence. This Piranesi etching is held by many museums and institutions, including: The Metropolitan Museum, The British Museum, The National Gallery of Art, The Yale University Art Gallery, and The Harvard Museum of Art. This magnificent etching is presented in a brown-colored wood frame and a tan French...
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

You May Also Like

Veduta del Ponte Lugano sull'Anione - Etching by G. B. Piranesi
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Roma, IT
Image dimensions 45x65.6. Veduta del Ponte Lugano su l'Anione is a superb black and white etching on laid paper realized by Giovan Battista Piranesi....
Category

1740s Landscape Prints

Materials

Etching

Veduta della Magnifica Sostruzione Fabricata - Etching by G. B. Piranesi -1760s
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Roma, IT
View of the magnificent substructure is an original etching realized by the italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi. Very precoius and rare specimen. Roman edition. Complete tit...
Category

Late 18th Century Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Veduta delle Antiche Sostruzioni, Vintage Cityscape Etching by Giovanni Piranesi
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Italian (1720 - 1788) Title: Veduta delle Antiche Sostruzioni Portfolio: Vedute di Roma Year: 1776 Medium: Etching ...
Category

1770s Old Masters Landscape Prints

Materials

Etching

View of Castello dell'Acqua Felice - Etching by G. B. Piranesi - 1751
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Roma, IT
View of Castel of Acqua Felice is an original etching realized by the italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi in 1751. Very precoius and rare lifetime impression. Roman edition. I...
Category

1750s Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Rovine del Tempio de' Castori nella città di Cora - Etching by G. B. Piranesi
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Roma, IT
Image dimensions 40.6x56.8. Belongs to the Collection "Antiquities of Cori, described and etched by Giovambat Piranesi", and printed in 1764. Beautiful first roman edition/1st state ...
Category

1760s Landscape Prints

Materials

Etching

View of the Ancient Structure built by Tarquinius Superbus called the Bel Lido
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Fairlawn, OH
View of the Ancient Structure built by Tarquinius Superbus called the Bel Lido, and like others built by Marcus Agrippa in the time of Augustus when he cleaned all the sewers leading...
Category

1750s Old Masters Landscape Prints

Materials

Etching