Villa Panfili fuori di porta S Pancrazio Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Original etching in its first state ( Hind 124-I) of the Villa Panphilj. Signed below Cavaliere Piranesi.This first state printed in 1776 just two years before the death of Piranesi ( 1720-1778). The etching represents the Villa Panphilj built by Alessandro Algardi between 1644-52 . Piranesi is considered the most important engraver at Rome during the XVIII century. Piranesi illustrated antiquities,monuments and archeological remains either in Rome and other parts of Italy. His output of etched plates is about 1000 numbers in all and most of them of larger dimensions. Piranesi provided of antiquities and restored antiques to a distinguihed international clientele visiting Rome eager to buy fragments or complete pieces for decorating theis houses and palaces across Europe. The Grand Tour visitors of Rome found at the Piranesi's workshop the best place to buy antiquities and also the etchings and different illustrated books published by Piranesi like Veduta di Roma or Antichita de Roma in 4 volumes.The circulation of Piranesis's works along Europe meant a first hand knowledge of the classical ruins and the development of the neoclassical taste joint with the work of Hamilton and Le Roy that influenced painting, decorative arts,etc