Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778)
[Antique print, etching, Piranesi] Veduta dell’Avanzo del Mausoleo di S. Elena, madre di Costantino Imperatore… (remains of the mausoleum of St. Helena), published 1756-1784, 1 p.
Plate XVIII from the III out of four volumes collection Le Antichità Romane collecting plates by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, firstly published by Angelo Rotili in Rome between 1756 and 1757. The second edition appeared in 1784. Original wide margins, no traces of binding or folding. One plate with the illustration and description.
Titled below: ‘Veduta dell’Avanzo del Mausoleo di S. Elena, madre di Costantino Imperatore …’
Signed on the bottom right: ‘Piranesi Archit. dis. ed inc. ‘
“The circular space of the great sepulcher is depicted in such a way as to show the modern constructions of the church and the sacristy built among the ruins, the bell tower fixed inside an ancient arch, the modern stairs through which the catacombs were reached, and at the at the same time the structure of the vault with the characteristic “pignatte” [=pots] (and amphorae inserted in the masonry to lighten the weight of the vault, hence the toponym “Tor Pignattara”).[…]” (Mariasole Garacci, ICG, Rome)
Translated title: remains of the mausoleum of St. Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine / Overblijfselen van het mausoleum van St. Helena, moeder van Keizer Constantijn.
Etching with some interventions in burin on hand laid paper, with broad margins; plate mark: 395 x 601 mm; total 555 x 800 mm; some tiny holes within plate, frayed margins with several tears, but plate in great condition.
€ 326,70 (€ 270,00 ex. btw)