Artwork

Views of Rome: The Temple of Portunus (?)

Views of Rome:  The Temple of Portunus (?), by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, 1758
Views of Rome:  The Temple of Portunus (?), by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, 1758

Views of Rome: The Temple of Portunus (?) is a print by the Romanticist artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi. It dates from 1758 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Views of Rome: The Temple of Portunus (?

About this work

Overview

Views of Rome: The Temple of Portunus (?) is a print by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, dated 1758, held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts an ancient Roman temple, possibly the Temple of Portunus, surrounded by smaller structures and trees, with figures and animals in the vicinity, conveying a sense of age and decay.

Technique & Style

Piranesi's work is characterized by detailed and realistic representation, showcasing his skill in capturing the texture and atmosphere of the scene, with a focus on the worn condition of the temple.

Context

This print is associated with the emerging Romanticism movement, which emphasized the emotional and aesthetic appeal of historical and natural subjects.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Artist

Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Giovanni Battista (or Giambattista) Piranesi (Italian pronunciation: ; also known as simply Piranesi; 4 October 1720 – 9 November 1778) was an Italian classical archaeologist, architect, and artist, famous for his…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.