Large Giovanni Piranesi Antique Etching Lake Albano Rome Blind Stamps Plate Mark

Description: A magnificent early etching by the Italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi, one of the best known artists of the 18th century. The etching measures about 25" x 35" (including margins) and is a view related to Rome: Dimostrazioni dell Emissario del Lago Albano, which translates to "Illustration of the Emissarium of Lake Albano". Lake Albano is just southeast of Rome and the Romans built an "emissary" tunnel to control its flow around 400 BC, said to require 30,000 workers to complete. This work has a dark, medieval feel showing men working underground. I believe this is part of Piranesi's famed "Vedute di Rome" (Views of Rome) series. The work is on heavy stock and has a pronounced plate mark, 3 round blind stamps, and no central fold line, suggesting it is a stand-alone work not taken from a bound volume. Two of the watermarks say "Regia Calcografia Roma", but have a little different image and omit the "Di" unlike most of the others I see online, and the other is a 6-pointed star. With XX at top in the print. If anyone can tell me more about this piece, I would appreciate it. Condition is fair only, with a long tear in the margin at lower left, some foxing in the margins and on reverse, some marginal edge tears, and one tape piece on the back. The etched portion is in nice condition however and would look fabulous framed. The piece has been rolled for years and that is the way I will ship it (see last photo).

Price: 445 USD

Location: Vista, California

End Time: 2025-01-01T22:56:10.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD