Piranesi Lithograph Antique Marble Vase from Villa Borghese (1778)
This late 18th c. print describes itself in Italian: Ancient marble vase decorated with 4 theatrical masks representing the 4 seasons or the 4 ages of man. It stands at the entrance to the Palace of Villa Borghese (Rome, Italy). For Mr. William Beckford, English Knight, admirer and follower of fine arts--in an act of homage. Sir Giovanni Battista Piranesi. And printed by his son Sir Francesco Piranesi.

(Vaso antico di marmo ch'? ornato di quattro Maschere sceniche rappresentanti le quattro Stagioni o sieno le quattro Et? dell'Uomo--Si vede all'ingresso del Palazzo della Villa Borghese. Al Sig.re Guglielmo Bechford Cavaliere Inglese amatore e seguace delle belle arti in atto d'ossequio. Il Cavaliere Gio. Batta Piranesi D.D.D. --Cavaliere Piranesi del. ed inc.)

This etching was created by one of the greatest etching masters of all time: Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778), a famous archeologist, architect, antiquarian and artist who founded what became an extremely well-known family workshop in Rome. As a family, Giovanni Battista together with his children Francesco and Laura, ran a spectacular print workshop in Rome that focused on the promotion of the ruins and the classical architecture and design of Ancient Rome. Their engravings were made for both 18th c. aristocratic visitors who came to Rome to learn about Antiquity as part of "The Grand Tour" as well as for Romans and Italians interested in Antiquity. This print features strong contrasts, sharp details and Piranesi's classic subject matter: the glory of Roman Antiquity in the form of a spectacularly carved marble vase. The print was once bound in a series book known as _Vases and Candelabras_ or, in the original: _Vasi, candelabri, cippi, sarcofagi, tripodi, lucerne, ed ornamenti antichi disegnati ed incisi dal cav. Gio. Batt. Piranesi pubblicati l?anno MDCCLXXIIX_?.
plate 21" x 15"; framed 30" x 36"