
Read the visual description
The image features an architectural scene with an ancient stone arch as the focal point. The perspective is straight-on, providing a clear view of the structure's details. The horizon line is not visible. The arch, constructed from large stone blocks, is on the left, leading towards other buildings on the right. The artwork uses intricate etching techniques to depict textures of stone, foliage, and sky. The color palette is monochromatic, with varying shades of black, white, and gray. Figures are seen walking along a path near the arch, emphasizing the scale of the architecture. In the distance, smaller buildings are depicted under a cloudy sky.
National Gallery of Art · Portfolio
Arco di Trajoano in Ancona
Giovanni Battista Piranesi
- Date
- 1748
- Medium
- etching on laid paper
- Dimensions
- plate: 13.5 x 27.1 cm (5 5/16 x 10 11/16 in.) sheet: 37.5 x 52.8 cm (14 3/4 x 20 13/16 in.)
- Classification
- Portfolio · Print
- Accession number
- 2002.66.1.30
- Credit line
- Edward E. MacCrone Fund and the Eugene L. and Marie-Louise Garbáty Fund
- Time span
- 1726 to 1750
- Department
- CG-E
Portfolio and series
- Series
- Antichità romane de'tempi della repubblica
Subjects and terms
- architecture
- Venetian
- Ruins
- Building
- Figures
Provenance
(sale, Sotheby's London, 21 March 1972, lots 142 and 142, included in a two-volume bound copy of _Le Magnificenze di Roma_); (Herman Shickman Gallery, New York); (sale, Sotheby's New York, 1 November 2001, the volumes broken up and sold as individual sets, this lot 135); (Harris Schrank, New York); purchased 2002 by NGA.
NGA object ID 125688. 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.