**Originally Listed At $300**

Luigi Rossini after Giovanni Battista Piranesi (Italian, 1720 -1778). "Veduta del Ponte Rotto" engraving, 1819. Luigi Rossini "Veduta dell' Arco Tito" engraving, 1819. A lovely trio of antique engravings of ancient Rome. The first, engraved by Luigi Rossini for Le Antichita Romane series to depict the antiquities of Rome, carrying on the tradition of Giovanni Battista Piranesi, is a remarkably detailed print of the broken bridge that spans the mouth of the Cloaca Maxima to the Tiber River. Next is master engraver Luigi Rossini's Arch of Titus. Finally, completing the trio is a charming antique print of a European stone bridge over a river signed "Behn". Size of Rossini "Veduta dell' Arco Tito": 9" L x 7.125" W (22.9 cm x 18.1 cm); 16.25" L x 14.25" W (41.3 cm x 36.2 cm) with frame

Rossini created more than 1,000 plates depicting ruins, gardens, buildings, and monuments like the Arch of Titus seen here. He lived and worked during a period of immense archaeological discovery. Like Piranesi, he created etchings that documented the latest Roman excavations for a voracious European audience who collected them on the Grand Tour. This would inspire global fascination with classical architecture.

Son of a stonemason and master builder, Piranesi would become a pioneer of the Neoclassical movement in the late 18th century as a master printmaker and antiquarian. Piranesi trained as an architect under his uncle Matto Lucchesi and Carlo Zucchi, and in 1740, left Venice for Rome where he studied etching with Giuseppe Vasi. While he had limited success winning architectural commissions, his training and passion for classical architecture served him well. Engravings and etchings provided Piranesi with a healthy livelihood, allowing him to turn one of his favorite pastimes, drawing Roman architecture, into a lucrative source of income. By 1747, Piranesi had begun the work for which he is best known, the Vedute di Roma (Views of Rome) and created plates for the series until his death in 1778. He created thousands of works that recorded the Roman monuments as well as those of the Renaissance which were impressive for not only their documentary value but also their immense artistry.

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection acquired before 2000

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#163080

All engravings have not been examined outside the frames. All show slight toning commensurate with age. Frame of Rossini's Arch of Titus has separated at lower left corner but could be repaired. Scuffs to frame of Ponte Rotto and stains/tears to gallery paper on its verso. Minor scuffs to frame of Behn print and expected tears to gallery paper on its verso.