Grotteschi

Details

Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778)
Grotteschi
the complete set of four etchings with engraving and drypoint, 1745-47, on laid paper, watermarks Crossbow (Robison 50, dated 1747-49), The Skeletons (R. 21) second state (of five), The Triumphal Arch (R. 22) first state (of five), The Tomb of Nero (R. 23) second state (of six), The Monumental Tablet (R. 24) first state (of four), a uniform set of fine, early impressions, printing with great clarity and contrasts and a delicate plate tone, from the Second Edition, First Issue, printed in Rome, circa 1750, with wide margins, all with the usual vertical central fold, R. 22 with a small backed hole in the lower margin at centre, a few minor stains and handling marks in the margins, generally in very good condition
P. 388 x 540 mm., S. 496 x 730 mm.
(4)

Provenance

With Christopher Mendez, London, 1996.

Literature

Focillon 20-23; Hind 24-27; Robison 21-24

Brought to you by

Charlie Scott

cscott@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2261

Lot Essay

While the watermarks found in the sheets of this set are usually found in impressions of the First Edition, two plates of the present set are second state impressions, which only appear in the Second Edition of the Grotteschi. The presence of a second state of The Tomb of Nero (R. 23), which was only included right at the beginning of the Second Edition, indicates that this set is a very early set of the First Issue of the Second Edition. The physical evidence is further supported by the fine quality of the impressions.

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