Trofei Di Ottaviano Augusto Innalzati Per La Vittoria Ad Actium E Conquista Dell'Egitto Con Vari Altri Ornamenti Antichi Disegnati Ed Incisi Dal Cavalier Gio. Batta. Piranesi
RA Collection: Book
Record number
03/2738
Imprint
[Roma]: (Presso l'Autore a Strada Felice nel Palazzo Tomati vicino alla Trinità de' Monti), [after 1767]
Physical Description
10 sheets carrying [11] pl. (incl. t.-pl.) (5 dble.); 538 mm. (Broadsheet).
General Note
The sheet carrying the title-plate carries also a second plate, numbered 'Tav. XVIII', the number which it had when printed in Piranesi's Le rovine del castello dell'Acqua Giulia, 1761.
Responsibility Note
All plates except the title plate are signed as made, or drawn and engraved, by Piranesi.
His imprint as publisher appears on one plate only.
References
Royal Institute of British Architects, British Architectural Library ... Early printed books, 3 (1999), no. 2566; Giovanni Battista Piranesi: the complete etchings, ed. J. Wilson-Ely (1994), 269-278; J. Wilton-Ely, Piranesi [exhibition catalogue] (1978), 114; A.M. Hind, Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1922 repr. 1978), 82-83; H. Focillon, Giovanni-Battista Piranesi (1918 repr. 1964), 133-143.
On Piranesi and Adam see R. Stillman, The decorative work of Robert Adam (1966), p. 64, pl. 16, 17, and A.A. Tait, 'Reading the ruins: Robert Adam and Piranesi in Rome', in Architectural history, 27 (1984), p.524-33.
Summary Note
This suite was originally issued (with a double letter-press title page) in 1753. The address printed on one of the plates indicates a state issued in 1761 or later. The present etched title-plate must have been made after 1767, when Piranesi first became able to describe himself as 'Cavaliere'.
The work shows fragments of sculpture and the trophies which had been removed to the Campidoglio from the castello of the Acqua Giulia - which Piranesi describes elsewhere (Le Rovine Del Castello Dell'Acqua Giulia, 1761).
Piranesi's plates appear to have been the model for Robert Adam's panels of trophies in the ante-room of Syon House, London (1761-1765) - and engravings of these were in turn made for Adam by Piranesi.
Provenance
Acquired by 1802. Recorded in Catalogue Of The Library In The Royal Academy, London (1802).
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 'Cammini Antich Di Cora Candelabri', spine lettered 'R.A.' Bound with 3 others.
Trophies (monuments) - Antiquities, Roman - Sculpture, Roman - Nymphaea (architecture) - Italy - Rome - History
Rulers - Monarchs - Publicizing - Public relations - Italy - Rome - History
Art history - Archaeology - Italy - 18th century
Pictorial works - Italy - 18th century
Armorial bindings - Great Britain - 18th century