Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Download image: 
Giovanni Battista Piranesi
1720-1778
Studies for Ornamental Motifs
ca. 1770
Pen and brown ink on paper.
5 9/16 x 5 1/16 inches (141 x 130 mm)
Bequest of Junius S. Morgan and gift of Henry S. Morgan.
1966.11:94

Download verso image: 
Notes: 

Although long identified as studies for a column capital, these are more likely sketches for an element in one of Piranesi's candelabra. They probably represent alternate ideas for the candelabrum seen in 1966.11:95, which was once part of a single sheet with this drawing.
On same mat as 1966.11:95.

Inscription: 

Numbered at lower left, in graphite, "[?]2"; inscribed on verso, in black chalk, "ECTIAIA[cut...] / Acquil[illegible...]".

Provenance: 
Mrs. J.P. Morgan, New York; by descent to her sons Junius S. Morgan, Princeton and Paris (no mark, see Lugt 1536) and Henry S. Morgan, New York.
Associated names: 

Morgan, Jane Norton, 1868-1925, former owner.
Morgan, Junius Spencer, 1892-1960, former owner.
Morgan, Henry S. (Henry Sturgis), 1900-1982, former owner.

School: 
Century: 
Classification: 
Department: