GIOVANNI PIRANESI - View of the Ancient Appian Way

THE ARTWORK

“Veduta dell'antica Via Appia (View of the Ancient Appian Way)", by Italian artist and engraver Giovanni Battista Piranesi, is Plate VII from Volume 3 of his renowned “Le Antichità Romane (Roman Antiquities)", published in 1756.

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.

This engraving depicts a section of the Appian Way, a major road in ancient Rome that connected the city to Brindisi on the Adriatic coast. The road is shown in a state of decay, with large, uneven stones and vegetation growing between the cracks.

The Appian Way was one of the most important roads in the Roman Republic and Empire. It was built in the 4th century BC and was used for both military and commercial purposes. The road was made of large blocks of stone, and it was said to be wide enough for two carriages to pass side-by-side.

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