Ioannis Baptistae Piranesii Antiquariorum Regiae Societatis Londinensis Socii Campus Martius Antiquae Urbis Roberto Adam Britanno Architecto Celeberrimo
Plates 12 and 46 comprise 2 images, printed from 2 coppers; plate 48 comprises 3 images, printed from 3 coppers. Plates 2 and 31 are double and folding, pl. 32 is double. Plates 5-10 form the plan of the Campus Martius. The letter-press sheets are broadsheets, although signed as if two-leaf gatherings.
Contents
[Engr. t.-pl., add. engr. t.-pl., dedic.] - Imprimatur; Approbatio; Imprimatur - [Text, in Latin and Italian] - Index Ruinarum Romæ Veteris Et Campi Martii ...; Indice Delle Rovine ... - Catalogus Operum Quæ In Magna Campi Martii Ichnographia Descripta Sunt; Catalogo Delle Opere ... - [Plates].
Responsibility Note
One plate (31, showing the excavation of the stylobate of the Antonine column in 1705) is signed as designed and drawn by Franciscus Fontana and engraved by Arnold Van Westerhout. Four plates are unsigned (pl. 20, 22, 36, 41). The rest, and the two title-plates, are all signed as made by Piranesi. One of the two headpieces and both tailpieces are signed as made by Piranesi.; the other headpiece and the two decorated initials are unsigned.
The work is dedicated by Piranesi to Robert Adam.
References
National Gallery (Washington), Mark J. Millard, 4 (2000), 91; RIBA, Early printed, 3 (1999), 2551; Giovanni Battista Piranesi: the complete etchings, ed. K. Wilton-Ely (1994), 559-612; A.M. Hind, Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1922 repr. 1978), 85; H. Focillon, Giovanni-Battista Piranesi (1918 repr. 1964), 428-479.
Summary Note
The text is in parallel Latin and Italian throughout; and the second title-plate reads, 'Il Campo Marzio Dell'Antica Roma'.
Provenance
Recorded in RAA Library, Catalogue, 1802.
Copy Note
Imperfect; lacks pl. 5-10.
Binding Note
18th-century mottled calf, upper cover gilt-stamped with royal arms of Britain and 'R.A.'; rebacked in 20th century, red and green morocco spine-labels lettered 'Antichita D'Albano E Di Castel Gandolfo Piranesi.', spine lettered 'R.A. 1764'. Bound with three others.
Subject
Architecture, Roman - Antiquities, Roman - Italy - Rome - Campus Martius (Rome) - History
Views - Vedute - Italy - Rome - 18th century
Pictorial works - Italy - 18th century
Armorial bindings - Great Britain - 18th century