The artwork

Piranesi's wealth of works includes a series of large engravings, the “Vedute di Roma” (Views of Rome), begun around 1747 and continually expanded to a total of 138 plates. It is the artist's best-known and most successful work. It became a means of systematically spreading the grandiloquent image of papal Rome and the fascinating, grandiose nature of its “speaking ruins”. In an expanding print market, where competition was fierce when it came to urban scenes, Piranesi's work became a means of conveying a new vision of the city and its history. Thanks to the careful choice of a specific viewpoint to depict one of the places that best evokes the 'modern' city, this view has a visual axis along Via del Babuino and a perspective focus on Bernini's Fontana della Barcaccia. The particular angle of the framing, emphasised by the light falling from the slopes of the Pincio, adds a scenographic touch to Piazza di Spagna, already a favourite destination of international tourism, artistic production and the art and antiques market, a crossroads for collectors and travellers from all over Europe.

WHY BUY IT

• Magnificent, true-to-life colours
• Adds elegance to any room
• Perfect as a prestigious gift

FEATURES

Print on handmade Amalfi paper with frame
Sheet size: 29 x 42 cm (11.4 x 16.5 in)
With frame: 31 x 44 cm (12.2 x 17.3 in);
Material: artwork printed on very fine handmade Amalfi paper with deckled edges, handmade beech wood frame