Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Download image:

1720-1778

Design for a Chimneypiece with a Tablet, Festoons, and Medallion, with a Separate Study of Jamb at Right. Verso: Guide lines for framework of mantelpiece

ca. 1769-1771

Black chalk, over ruled graphite lines, on paper; verso: ruled graphite lines.

9 3/8 x 16 7/8 inches (238 x 429 mm)

Bequest of Junius S. Morgan and gift of Henry S. Morgan.

1966.11:77

Notes:

Stampfle noted that drawings 1966.11:73, 1966.11:74, 1966.11:75, and 1966.11:83 form a sequence, leading up to 1966.11:77. William Rieder (1975) has suggested a connection between the drawings and the Piranesi chimneypiece at Gorhambury, which was commissioned by Edward Walter, who was in Rome from 1769-71.

Inscription:

Numbered at upper right, in graphite, "36". At upper right, "alabastro" and "porfido".
Watermark: Fleur-de-lis inside circle surmounted by "AMG over S" inside shield, with small cross above, and letter "F" below circle.

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.

Watermark:

Download watermark:

142383wm_1966_11_77_Piranesi_WM_beta.jpg

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.

Bibliography:

Stampfle, Felice. Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Drawings in the Pierpont Morgan Library. New York : Dover, 1978, no. 77, repr.

Catalog link:

See more information »

Artist page:

Piranesi, Giovanni Battista

School:

Century:

Classification:

Department: