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This is a drawing of an ornate architectural structure. The image shows a complex and grandiose building featuring multiple arches, columns, and detailed ornamentation. The structure is depicted from an angle, revealing its facade adorned with sculptures and statues. The composition shows tiered steps and detailed perspectives emphasizing the scale and intricacy of the design. The use of lines and shading creates depth in this elaborate architectural depiction.
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This is a drawing of an ornate architectural structure. The image shows a complex and grandiose building featuring multiple arches, columns, and detailed ornamentation. The structure is depicted from an angle, revealing its facade adorned with sculptures and statues. The composition shows tiered steps and detailed perspectives emphasizing the scale and intricacy of the design. The use of lines and shading creates depth in this elaborate architectural depiction.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

An Ancient Forum with Porticos

Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Date
1742/1743
Medium
pen and brown ink with gray wash over black chalk on laid paper
Dimensions
overall: 13.5 x 21.5 cm (5 5/16 x 8 7/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1998.69.1
Credit line
William B. O'Neal Fund
Time span
1726 to 1750
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • Italy
  • architecture
  • Venetian
  • Rome
Provenance

(sale, Sotheby's, London, 18 April 1994, no. 98, as Roman School); (Hugh Pagan Ltd., London); purchased 1998 by NGA.

Inscription

by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: 20049877

NGA object ID 105983. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.