1784
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
The Giant Wheel is a 1784 ink by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching depicts a giant wheel, with a large stone structure at its center. The wheel appears to be in motion, with figures on its rim. The scene is set against a dark, ominous background. In the foreground, several figures are visible, some of whom seem to be in distress. The overall mood of the image is one of turmoil and chaos. The artist's use of bold lines and dramatic lighting adds to the sense of tension and energy in the scene. For more works like this, explore the Romanticism movement.
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…
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