GIOVANNI PIRANESI - The Arch Of Septimius Severus

THE ARTWORK

“Arco di Severo, e Caracalla (The Arch of Septimius Severus & Caracalla)", by Italian artist and engraver Giovanni Battista Piranesi, is Plate XXXI from Volume 1 of his renowned “Le Antichità Romane (Roman Antiquities)", published in 1756.

The Arch of Septimius Severus is a white marble triumphal arch at the northwestern end of the Roman Forum, dedicated in 203 AD to commemorate the victories over the Parthians by Emperor Septimius Severus and his two sons, Caracalla and Geta.

The text on the image identifies different parts of the ancient Roman Forum that are depicted in the engraving. Here’s a translation of the text:

- A: Forami per sostegno de’ ornamenti di bronzo [Holes for the support of the bronze ornaments]
- B: Tempio della Concordia [Temple of Concord]
- C: Avanzo del Tempio di Giove Tonante [Remains of the Temple of Jupiter Tonans]
- D: Colonna rimasta in piedi della Grecostasi [Column remained upright of the Greek stasis]

Piranesi's "Le Antichità Romane" is a 4-volume series of etchings that depict the ancient ruins and architectural marvels of Rome. He meticulously documented the remains of classical Rome, including its temples, aqueducts, bridges, and other structures. Piranesi's work was not just about representation; it also aimed to evoke a sense of awe and grandeur, often employing dramatic lighting and perspective to enhance the monumental nature of the ruins.

THE ARTIST

Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720–1778) was an Italian artist and architect known for his influential etchings and engravings depicting grandiose architectural fantasies and ancient Roman ruins. Born in Venice, Piranesi studied architecture in Rome, where he developed a fascination with the city's ancient structures.

Piranesi's etchings, such as the "Carceri d'Invenzione (Imaginary Prisons)" series and the "Vedute di Roma (Views of Rome)", are renowned for their intricate detail, dramatic perspectives, and imaginative compositions. These works often portrayed ancient Roman monuments with a sense of sublime grandeur, emphasizing their scale and monumentality.

Beyond his artistic endeavors, Piranesi was also a skilled architect and archaeologist, contributing to the study and preservation of Rome's ancient heritage. His prints had a significant impact on the European imagination, influencing the development of Neoclassicism and Romanticism.

THE PRINT

• A4 Size = 29.7cm x 21cm = 11.7" x 8.25"
• A3 Size = 42cm x 29.7cm = 16.5" x 11.7"
• High resolution giclée print - 600dpi
• Printed to order
• Unframed & unmounted
• Professionally printed using Canon imagePROGRAF printers
• Digitally restored by OharaPrints from high resolution scans of the original artwork
• Made in and shipped from Casterton, Victoria, Australia

PAPER

• Canson Infinity - Arches BFK Rives White
• Paper weight = 310gsm
• 100% cotton
• Archival, museum grade
• Acid free
• No OBAs (optical brightening agents)

Arches BFK Rives is a high-quality, archival-grade paper manufactured at the Arches paper mill in France - one of the oldest papermakers in Europe. It is made from 100% cotton rag using a time-honoured manufacturing process, giving the paper exceptional durability, longevity, and resistance to yellowing or deterioration over time. Despite its substantial weight and thickness it maintains a very soft and supple feel. The paper has a natural white tone and is completely free of any optical brighteners (OBAs), allowing for superb colour rendition and deep blacks.

INK

• Canon Lucia Pro Inks
• Pigment based
• Archival, museum-grade
• Brilliant colours, even gradient and razor-sharp lines
• Highly stable and fade resistant, excellent humidity-fastness

SHIPPING & HANDLING

• All orders are dispatched on the NEXT BUSINESS DAY after receiving the order
• All prints are shipped via AUSTRALIA POST with TRACKING
• For postage rates and estimated delivery times please see our SHIPPING page
• All prints are shipped flat, not rolled
• Each print is individually placed into a resealable, archival grade plastic protective sleeve
• Prints are carefully packaged in very sturdy 700gsm cardboard envelopes, along with 1050gsm boxboard sheets which provide extra strength & rigidity to prevent bending or folding during transit