Accession Number1985/2.133
TitleFrieze, Soffits, Columns, plate 9 from Trofei di Ottaviano Augusto innalzati per la vittoria ad Actium e conquista dell'Egitto con vari altri ornamenti antichi
Artist(s)Giovanni Battista PiranesiArtist NationalityItalian (culture or style)Object Creation Date1753Medium & Supportetching on laid paperDimensions 21 15/16 in x 14 in (55.72 cm x 35.56 cm);28 1/16 in x 22 1/16 in (71.28 cm x 56.04 cm);17 13/16 in x 10 1/4 in (45.24 cm x 26.04 cm);21 3/4 in x 14 in (55.25 cm x 35.56 cm)
Credit LineGift of Professor Walter M. and Nesta R. SpinkLabel copyGiovanni Battista Piranesi
Italy, 1720–1778
Frieze, Soffits, Columns, plate 9 from Trofei di Ottaviano
Augusto innalzati per la vittoria ad Actium e conquista
dell’Egitto con vari altri ornamenti antichi (Trophies of
Octavian Augustus erected to commemorate the victory at
Actium and the conquest of Egypt)
1753
Etching on laid paper
Gift of Professor Walter M. and Nesta R. Spink, 1985/2.133
Subject matterThis etching was published as plate 9 in the 1753 edition of "Trophy of Octavian Augustus," a series of prints depicting Roman architectural decorations drawn and etched by Piranesi, which were intended to be of use to painters, sculptors, and architects. Piranesi's composite technique combines disparate examples of columns, friezes, and relief decorations on the same sheet of paper, appended with a key identifying each fragment in the lower margin of the image. The etching is replete with useful information, but it also serves as a tour de force of draftsmanship in its own right, as simple and more complex designs overlap each other in this trompe l'oeil collage.
Physical DescriptionA black and white etching depicting several fragments of friezes and columns, followed by textual descriptions in Italian.
Primary Object Classification Print Primary Object Typeintaglio printCollection AreaWesternRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
architectural ornament
columns
columns (architectural elements)
detail studies
frieze
friezes (ornamental areas)
publications (documents)
reliefs (sculptures)