Piranèse

79 — <p><b>First Edition</b>.</p><p>Hindp.85; Winton-Ely II 559-612.</p><p><b>A magnificent copy in contemporary binding with fine impressions throughout</b>. </p><p>The centerpiece fold-out <i>Ichnographia</i> or plan of the Campus Martius in Rome stands as a spectacular example of Piranesi's genius for design and printmaking showcasing both the artist's personal observation and archaeological research alongside his ability architectural imagination.</p><p>Piranesi's purpose was to combine and correlate the evidence of existing visible remains with that of the marble fragments of the Severan plan of the ancient city which it seems he had helped the cartographer G.B. Nolli to re-assembly in the Capitoline Museum in 1742-43. However by the time Piranesi's magnificent six-sheet plan of the 'Campus Martius' pl. V--X was finally ready for publication in May 1762 he had also produced no less than 42 ancillary plates and 70 pages of explanatory text to form in effect an entire sequel to Le antichità Romane.</p><p>Although Robert Adam was to wait seven years before benefitting publicly from the kudos of Piranesi's dedication 'Al Chiarissimo Il Sig. Roberto Adam' - by which time his London architectural practice was already well launched - it was a delay that worked nonetheless much to the Scottish architect's advantage in that his name became internationally associated not with a mere map hidden within a book but with one of Piranesi's most spectacular re-creations of the glories of ancient Rome.</p><p>With its numerous ancient remains it is undeniable that the city of Rome had charmed many artists throughout Europe from the Renaissance until the 19th century. This interest this fascination for the ancient Roman monuments was a source of inspiration for painters as well as for drawers and more particularly for engravers. But one of the most important figures in this field was Giovanni Battista Piranesi 1720-1778 whose numerous works show his passion for ancient Rome. Among his publications however there is a rather special work published in 1762 that is dedicated more specifically to one area of the ancient city: "Il Campo Marzio dell' antica Roma" which as the title indicates is dedicated to the area of the Campus Martius an area outside the city limits that originally contained various monuments military quarters altars sanctuaries tombs basilicas baths theaters. Besides his vedute the artist also executed a huge folding map the Ichnographia.</p><p>A very nice copy preserved in its elegant contemporary binding.</p><p>Provenance : Private collection Rome.</p> hardcover