Born in Piacenza, Italy in 1691, Panini initially trained as a stage designer before moving to Rome in 1711. There he studied under Benedetto Luti and Andrea Locatelli, developing his skills in figure drawing and landscape painting. After beginning his career as a fresco painter, Panini turned increasingly to the city’s ancient ruins, Renaissance churches and Baroque palaces, which became the defining subjects of his work. His mastery of perspective enabled him to produce both faithful vedute and imaginative capricci — fantastical architectural scenes that combined monuments from different locations into convincing, harmonious compositions enlivened by bustling figures.
As Rome became an essential destination for aristocratic travellers, scholars and collectors, Panini emerged as the city’s leading painter of vedute. His works served as refined souvenirs of the Grand Tour while celebrating Rome's artistic and archaeological heritage. Panini’s patrons included popes, cardinals, European nobility and influential collectors, securing an international reputation during his lifetime. Alongside his successful practice, he taught at the Accademia di San Luca (later serving as principle) and the French Academy, influencing a generation of architectural and landscape painters. Today, Panini’s works remain admired for their technical brilliance, command of perspective and evocative vision of a city where a classical past and contemporary grandeur coexist.
ÉCOLE ITALIENNE DU XIXe SIÈCLE, SUIVEUR DE GIOVANNI PAOLO PANINI
Vue de Rome avec l'Hercule Farnèse, l'arc de Janus et la pyramide de Cestius
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
View of the Campidoglio, Rome
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
View of Saint Peter's Square, Rome
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691/2-1765 Rome)
View of Piazza del Popolo, Rome
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
An architectural capriccio with figures before a fountain of Neptune in a classical courtyard; and An architectural capriccio with figures before two fountains
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
An architectural capriccio with figures among Roman ruins including the the Temple of Saturn, Arch of Constantine, Temple of Vesta, Arch of Drusus, the Colosseum, Temple of Castor and Pollux, Basilica of Maxentius and the Column of Marcus Aurelius
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Roma)
Cerimonia alla presenza di Benedetto XIV
GIOVANNI PAOLO PANINI (PIACENZA 1691-1765 ROME)
View of the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine
Circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
An architectural capriccio with the Arch of Constantine, the Pyramid of Cestius, the Colosseum and the three columns of the Temple of the Dioscuri, with classical figures near the sarcophagus of Costantina and the Borghese vase; and An architectural capriccio with the Temple of Hadrian, the Basilica of Massenzio, the Temple of Fortuna Virilis and the sarcophagus of Costantina with classical figures among architectural fragments
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
An architectural capriccio with the philosopher Diogenes and other figures by a fountain beneath a portico with the Colosseum, the column of Trajan, Hercules and the Hydra, the Farnese Hercules, and the Farnese Flora
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
A capriccio of Roman ruins with the Pantheon, the Temple of Antonino and Faustina, the statue of Marco Aurelio, the Trajan Column, the Temple of Fortuna Virilis, the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli and figures conversing amongst architectural fragments
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
An architectural capriccio with Christ at the Pool of Bethesda
GIOVANNI PAOLO PANINI (PIACENZA 1691-1765 ROME)
A classical capriccio with the Colosseum, Trajan's column and the Farnese Hercules, with the Philosopher Diogenes and other figures in the foreground
Giovanni Paolo Panini Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome
Diogenes throwing away his drinking cup
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
A coastal scene
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
Capriccio of a classical loggia; and Capriccio of palaces with giochi d'acqua
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
A capriccio with classical figures disputing amongst ruins, the Temple of the Sybil at Tivoli and the Pyramid of Cestius beyond
Circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
An architectural capriccio with the Arch of Constantine, the Pyramid of Cestius, the Colosseum and the three columns of the Temple of the Dioscuri, with classical figures near the sarcophagus of Costantine and the Borghese vase; and An architectural capriccio with the Temple of Hadrian, the Basilica of Massenzio, the Temple of Fortuna Virilis and the sarcophagus of Costantina with classical figures among architectural fragments
GIOVANNI PAOLO PANINI (PIACENZA 1691-1765 ROME)
A capriccio of classical ruins with the Maison Carrée at Nîmes, the Temple of the Sybil at Tivoli, the Pont du Gard near Nîmes and the Borghese vase
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
An architectural capriccio with the Temple Antoninus and Faustina, the Capitoline lion, the Farnese Hercules, the Colosseum, the Pyramid of Cestius, the Arch of Constantine, the Sarcophagus of Saint Helena, with classical figures conversing
GIOVANNI PAOLO PANINI (PIACENZA 1691-1765 ROME)
A capriccio of Roman ruins with the Pantheon, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, the statue of Marcus Aurelius, Trajan's Column, the Temple of Fortuna Virilis and the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli
GIOVANNI PAOLO PANINI (PIACENZA 1691-1765 ROME)
A Capriccio with the Arch of Constantine and the Capitoline Lion Group
Studio of Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
A capriccio of Roman ruins, with the Trajan's Column, the Farnese Hercules, the Coloseum, the Pyramid of Cestius, the Temple of Fortuna Virilis, the Arch of Constantine and the Borghese Vase
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
An architectural capriccio with a Sibyl preaching
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome) and Studio
A capriccio of classical ruins of the Roman Forum with figures conversing amongst architectural fragments
Circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
An architectural capriccio with the Pyramid of Cestius and Trajan's Column
GIOVANNI GHISOLFI (MILAN 1623-1683)
Paysages imaginaires antiques animés de personnages
STUDIO OF GIOVANNI PAOLO PANINI (PIACENZA 1691-1765 ROME)
A capriccio of Roman ruins with soldiers; and A capriccio of a ruined Roman archway
Studio of Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
A capriccio of classical ruins with the pronaos of the Porticus Octaviae, the Colosseum, the Arch of Drusus, the Arch of Constantine, the Column of Trajan and the Farnese Hercules
GIOVANNI PAOLO PANINI (PIACENZA 1691-1765 ROME)
An architectural capriccio with Death of Ananias; and An architectural capriccio with David, Bathsheba and Solomon
Circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
A capriccio with figures conversing among ruins
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
An architectural capriccio with an apostle preaching
Circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
An architectural capriccio with the Pantheon, an obelisk, an equestrian statue and a ruined temple, with classical figures conversing in the foreground
Follower of Giovanni Paolo Panini
Four capriccios of Roman ruins with figures conversing
Circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
Capriccio of classical ruins with the Pyramid of Caius Cestius, Trajan's Column and other Roman monuments
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
A capriccio of classical ruins with the Pyramid of Cestius beyond
Circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
A Roman capriccio with the Colosseum, Trajan's column, the Farnese Hercules, the Pyramid of Cestius and other classical buildings, with figures resting in the foreground
GIOVANNI PAOLO PANNINI (PLAISANCE 1691-1765 ROME)
Personnages dans des ruines romaines
Circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
A capriccio of classical ruins with figures conversing beneath a temple
Circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
Figures admiring Roman ruins
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
An architectural capriccio
FOLLOWER OF GIOVANNI PAOLO PANINI
A capriccio with the Farnese Hercules, the Arch of Janus, and a ruined pyramid and colonnade; and A capriccio with a ruined colonnade, Trajan's column, the Arch of Janus, the pyramid of Cestius and the Mourning Ephebe
After Giovanni Paolo Panini
An architectural capriccio with figures among Roman ruins including the Temple of Saturn, Arch of Constantine, Temple of Vesta, Arch of Drusus, the Colosseum, Temple of Castor and Pollux, Basilica of Maxentius, the Apollo Belvedere and the Column of Trajan
Manner of Giovanni Paolo Panini
An architectural capriccio with figures conversing, a dog in the foreground; and An architectural capriccio with a gentleman courting a lady, with figures by an obelisk
After Giovanni Paolo Panini
A view of the Camp Vaccino with the Temple of Jupiter Stator, the Arch of Titus, the Colosseum, the Basilica of Maxentius, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina and the Temple of Concord with the Borghese Vase and horsemen and peasants by a fountain.
ÉCOLE ITALIENNE DU XVIIIe SIÈCLE, ENTOURAGE DE GIOVANNI PAOLO PANINI
Caprice architectural avec la pyramide de Cestius, l'Arc de Constantin et le Panthéon
Circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
A Capriccio of the Pantheon and Roman Ruins, a group of soldier in the foreground
Circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
An architectural capriccio with an Apostle preaching
Circle of Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
An architectural capriccio with classical figures conversing
Giovanni Paolo Panini (Piacenza 1691-1765 Rome)
An architectural capriccio with figures among classical ruins, broken columns and pediments