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. After a slow start he eventually 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 engravings and etchings. 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's style greatly influenced the neoclassical art movement of the late 18th century. His dramatic scenes inspired generations of set designers, as well as artists, architects and writers. His prints have continued to increase in value to institutions and collectors.

A Close Look at classical-greek Furniture

There is rare surviving furniture from ancient Greece, yet this classical style has informed design for centuries. Interiors of houses in antiquity were minimal, with much of a room’s color coming from frescoes on the walls and mosaics on the floors. Classical Greek furniture was sparing but finely crafted and influenced by Egyptian furniture design through Mediterranean trade.

Furnishings of the period were usually made from local wood like cypress, cedar, oak and willow from ancient Greece’s plentiful forests, although some pieces were carved from marble, such as a 300–200 B.C. throne with lion legs and a curved back now at the Getty Villa. Comfort and clean lines characterized designs during the Classical era, the symmetry and thoughtful proportions reflecting the architecture of Greek temples.

Some pieces of ancient Greek furniture were simple, rectangular platforms like the klinē, a multipurpose ancestor of today’s couches or daybeds that held cushions stuffed with wool, dry grass or down. These structures were used for both sleeping and dining, which wealthy Greeks did while reclining. At night, oil lamps illuminated rooms that frequently surrounded a garden courtyard.

Most of what scholars have learned about Greek furniture design owes to its representations in art like vases and stelae. The portable diphros stool, with its backless design and four turned legs, was one of the more common types of seating in daily Greek life — it appears as such for the gods on the Parthenon frieze. Stools without backs have been found in early Roman tombs, while benches were also common Greek seating furniture created for use in theaters. In houses of the Hellenistic period, benches seemingly functioned as tables, too.

Some designs evolved through adaptations by the Romans, including the klismos chair. After prominent archaeological excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum, the klismos chair — with its four saber legs and the elegant curves that define its back — was a source of inspiration for aesthetics in eras ranging from 18th-century neoclassicism to 20th-century Art Deco.

Find a collection of Classical Greek decorative objects, wall decorations and building and garden elements on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right decorative-art for You

Antique, new and vintage decorative art is crucial to personalizing your interior.

Bringing art into your home will help you create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, whether you are expecting to regularly host guests for cocktails in your living room or you are inclined to soak up some “me time” on weekends by curling up with a book in your library. After all, a room isn’t quite complete until you hang some art on the walls.

Choosing a piece of art for your interior is a matter of finding something that resonates with you. You should also consider what will work with your current decor. Keep in mind that a wide range of objects counts as decorative art — antique and vintage prints, paintings, wall-mounted sculptures and more. There is so much to choose from! And art can feel as deeply personal with the vintage posters that promoted your favorite classic films as it can with framed photographs of your loved ones.

Decorative art can set the mood for a room and will typically make for great conversation. When you find wall decor and decorations that speak to you, why not introduce them into your space? It will give you and your guests the opportunity to meaningfully engage with the art every time you see it. You can play with different styles, eras and colors. Mix and match pieces to integrate a refreshing pop of color or create a theme by dedicating a room to a color palette or certain time period. A great way to tie your layout together is to choose wall art that complements your decor and color scheme.

Folk art is an interesting category for its wide range of works across various media and the array of textures it can offer. Paper art is another versatile option because it will be easy to find a home for portraits, collages, drawings and other works in your space. With decorative paper art, you can also get creative with how you arrange your wall art. There are plenty of options that include hanging the works salon-style.

On 1stDibs, find a constantly growing collection of antique and vintage decorative art today.