The artwork titled “The Roman antiquities, t. 2, Plate XXXI. Fragment of stucco gouged by the time of Nicchioni is one of the interior of the factory before burial,” executed by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in 1756, is a fine etching representative of the Neoclassicism art movement. This particular piece belongs to the artwork series “Le antichità Romane” and falls under the design genre.
In the artwork, Giovanni Battista Piranesi illustrates an intricate rendering of a Roman antiquity, presumably a section from an ancient Roman structure. The etching is divided into two sections: the top part presents an aerial or sectional view of a circular structure, showcasing the detailed architectural layout marked with letters (A, B, C, D, and E) for reference. The depiction features precise texture work, with dense stippling to indicate various areas. The lower part of the artwork shifts to a more scenic representation, depicting a fragmented scene with architectural ruins. Amidst scattered remnants of columns and decorative motifs, the landscape reveals a rustic horizon, with a small structure situated on an elevation to the left, contributing to the dramatic ambiance. Piranesi’s meticulous etching technique emphasizes the grandeur and historical essence of Roman architecture.
