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The scene features ancient architectural ruins viewed from a ground-level perspective. The horizon, detailed with swirling clouds, reveals undefined structures against the sky. Meticulous linework creates texture and depth on the stonework and vegetation. The color palette includes sepia and deep browns. Figures are scattered among the ruins, with statues and stone carvings adorning the structures. More ruins and foliage stretch towards the horizon, conveying a sense of vastness and antiquity.
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The scene features ancient architectural ruins viewed from a ground-level perspective. The horizon, detailed with swirling clouds, reveals undefined structures against the sky. Meticulous linework creates texture and depth on the stonework and vegetation. The color palette includes sepia and deep browns. Figures are scattered among the ruins, with statues and stone carvings adorning the structures. More ruins and foliage stretch towards the horizon, conveying a sense of vastness and antiquity.

National Gallery of Art · Print

AEdis antiquae, AEdificiorumque adiacentium fragmenta

Pietro Gaspari

Date
1771
Medium
etching with engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
page size: 37.6 × 52.5 cm (14 13/16 × 20 11/16 in.) plate: 29.7 × 41.8 cm (11 11/16 × 16 7/16 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2014.176.10.4
Credit line
New Century Fund, Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund and Florian Carr Fund
Time span
1751 to 1775
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Portfolio and series

Series
Architectural Fantasies

Subjects and terms

  • etching
  • Italy
  • landscape
Provenance

Cesare Morini, Milan (d. 2013); his widow, Karin Wachtel, Milan; (Stanza del Borgo, Milan); purchased by NGA, 2014.

Inscription

lower left in plate: Pietro Gaspari Inv et Sculp Venetiis, C.P.E.S;lower center in plate: AEdis antiquae, AEdificiorumque adiacentium fragmenta; lower right in plate: n. 2

NGA object ID 206080. 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.