Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778)

While we're on the subject of classical artists, we should mention the brilliance of a man whose work is popular today - even though his name is often unknown.

An architect by profession, Giovanni Battista Piranesi was a graphic artist of technical brilliance and of great expressive range. His amazing stone structures often combined fantasy themes from his Baroque training, with his Roman archaeological discoveries. Piranesi's extensive work in the field of Roman archaeology was acknowledged by his election to the Society of Antiquaries of London.

His absorption with classical antiquity was reflected in Piranesi's imaginative restoration of antiquities he found, their subsequent sale, and also their incorporation into creations for his many British patrons and collectors. He is perhaps most famous for his superb well-defined copperplate illustrations of these works - in particular his Urns - which are still appreciated as contemporary decor. These he engraved and etched for "Vasi, Candelabri, Cippi y Sarcofagi, Tripodi Lucerne ed Ornamenti Antichi” published in Rome between 1773 and 1778. They are available as original Antique Prints at www.antiqueprintclub.com/c-22-classicaldesign and Heritage Editions fine reproduction prints at  www.antiqueprintclub.com/c-46-classicaldesign.