“Carceri d’invenzione di G. Battista Piranesi archit. vene. – Imaginary Prisons of G. Battista Piranesi, Venetian Architect”
Carceri II: The Man on the Rack
A gruesome torture scene of a chained man on a rack, the scene taking place in a dark vault, between broken Roman columns, iron cannons, war equipment and flags.
The light-filled dungeon rooms of the first edition were darkened by the increasing "chiaroscuro". Here is an early state before the artist's further reworking!
Finely executed copper engraving by Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) on firm laid paper. Roman number II in the upper right of the image and the artist's signature: Piranesi f. in the lower right margin.
Fine impression, a small tear restored in the upper left corner, as usual with smoothed centrefold, wide margins. Very good condition, free of stains.
Sheet size: 73,5 x 53 cm, print size: 56.8 x 41.9 cm
Lit.: Hind, Arthur: Piranesi/Carceri II; Ficacci: Carceri 21, Los Angeles County Museum LAX, AccNo. 46.27.2
€ 6.500,-