The artwork titled “The Round Tower, plate III from ‘Carceri d’Invenzione'” was created by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in 1749. The piece is an etching and measures 41.3 x 54.6 cm. It belongs to the Neoclassicism art movement and falls within the cityscape genre. This renowned artwork is housed at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork depicts a fantastical, labyrinthine structure characterized by massive stone constructions, towering arches, and an intricate network of staircases. The round tower, centrally located and fortified with large bars, dominates the composition. The scene conveys a sense of grand scale and complexity, embodying a dream-like and somewhat oppressive architectural vision, which is typical of Piranesi’s inventive and dramatic style. The use of etching technique emphasizes the detailed and textured nature of the architectural forms, enhancing the ethereal and surreal quality of the imagined prison.
