1766
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Veduta della Cascata di Tivoli is a 1766 ink by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a dramatic waterfall crashing down rocky cliffs into a narrow pool below. Buildings cling to the steep hillsides on either side, connected by winding paths. Trees and mist add texture to the scene, making the water look powerful and the rocks jagged. Notice how the artist used sharp lines and shading to create depth—this isn’t just a sketch, but a carefully crafted print. The way light hits the water and rocks makes the scene feel almost three-dimensional. Want to see more like this? Check out etching to learn how artists like Piranesi made prints with acid and needles.
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…
See the richer artist page
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