Perspective view of the same candelabrum, from "Vasi, candelabri, cippi, sarcofagi, tripodi, lucerne, ed ornamenti antichi disegnati ed incisi dal Cav. Gio. Batt. Piranesi, Vol. II" (Vases, candelabra, grave stones, sarcophagi, tripods, lamps, and ornaments designed and etched by Cavalieri Giovanni Battista Piranesi)

About this artwork

Giovanni Battista Piranesi, the visionary 18th-century Italian artist and architect, captures the grandeur of ancient Roman ornamentation in this intricate etching from his monumental series *Vasi, candelabri, cippi, sarcofagi, tripodi, lucerne, ed ornamenti antichi* (Vases, Candelabra, Grave Stones, Sarcophagi, Tripods, Lamps, and Ancient Ornaments), Volume II, published between 1778 and 1780. Titled *Perspective View of the Same Candelabrum*, it presents a dramatic, horizontally oriented vista of an elaborate candelabrum adorned with motifs of birds and female figures, showcasing Piranesi's meticulous reconstruction of rediscovered antiquities. Piranesi's etchings revolutionized the depiction of Roman ruins and artifacts, blending archaeological precision with imaginative flair. A master of the Vedutisti tradition—specialists in topographic views—he infused his works with a sense of sublime scale and theatrical perspective, influencing Neoclassicism and architects like Robert Adam. This print exemplifies his etching technique, where fine lines and deep burrs create rich textures on the large plate (26 x 16 5/16 inches), evoking the opulence of imperial Rome. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this piece from the Rogers Fund invites visitors to marvel at how Piranesi bridged past and present, preserving and romanticizing classical splendor for modern eyes.