1750
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
The Giant Wheel is a 1750 ink by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching depicts a fantastical scene with a massive wheel at its center. The wheel is surrounded by a series of arches and columns, with figures standing atop the structure. In the foreground, a group of people are gathered, seemingly in awe of the giant wheel. The scene is rendered in intricate detail, with fine lines and textures that give the image a sense of depth and dimensionality. The use of shading and contrast adds to the overall sense of drama and tension in the scene. The artist's use of etching and engraving techniques creates a sense of complexity and nuance in the image. For more on this technique, explore the art of etching.
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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