Vol. 1: Pl. [1-]55. Pl. [1] (t.-pl.), [2], [29], [41], [52] are unnumbered; pl. 13 is misnumbered 31. Plates [1] (t.-pl.) and 22 are dble. Pl. 7 carries two separate prints. - Vol. II: Pl. [56]-112. Pl. [56](t.-pl.), [87], [103] are unnumbered. Pl. 84 is misnumbered as 82; pl. 110, as 100. Pl. 66, 67, 80, 84 [misnumbered 82], [87] and 111 each carry two prints.
Responsibility Note
In Volume I Plates [1] (title-plate), 14, 31, 38, 40 and 46 are unsigned. Most are signed as made by Piranesi ('Cav(alier) Piranesi F(ec)' on plates [2], 4, 5, 7-12, 15-19, 21, 22, 25-27, 30, 32, 34, 39, 41, 45, 53, 55 and 'P.f.' on pl. [29]). Some are signed as drawn and engraved by Piranesi ('Cav. Piranesi del. e inc.' on pl. 23, 24, 28, 33, 36, 37, 42, 43, 47, 48, 50, 51, 54). Two are signed as engraved by Piranesi ('Cavalier(e) Piranesi inc.' on pl. 49, [52]). One is signed, 'Vincenzo Brenna disegnò. Cavalier Piranesi inc.' (pl. 44). Two are signed as drawn and engraved, or as engraved, by Piranesi's son ('Francesco Piranesi disegnò ed incise' on pl. 13 [misnumbered 31], and 'Cav. Franco. Piranesi incise' on pl. 20).
In Volume II plates 72 and 93 are unsigned. Most are signed as made by Piranesi ('Cav. Piranesi F' on pl. 57-65, 68, 70, 71, 73, 76, 77, 79-83, 84 [misnumbered 82] [b], 88, 89, 92, 94, 95, 99, [103], 104, 110 [misnumbered 100], and 'Cav. Gio. Batta. Piranesi F' on pl. 71). Some are signed as drawn and engraved by him ('Cavalier Piranesi del(in). e(d) inc.' on pl. [56] (title-pl.), 66, 67, 69, 74, 75, 78, 84 [misnumbered 82] (a), 85, 86, 90, 91, 96-98, 100-102, 105-109, or 'Cavaliere Piranesi disegnò ed inc.' on pl. 100). Three are signed as engraved by Francesco Piranesi ('Cav. Fran(ces)co Piranesi inc.' on pl. [87], 111, 112).
Volume I carries no general dedication; the title-plate of Volume II carries a dedication by Piranesi to General Schouvaloff. Many plates carry a separate dedication from Piranesi to a patron or art-lover.
References
National Gallery (Washington), Mark J. Millard Architectural, 4 (2000), 101; Royal Institute of British Architects, Early printed books, 3 (1999), 2568; Giovanni Battista Piranesi: the complete etchings, ed. J. Wilton-Ely (1994), 888-1005; J. Wilton-Ely, Piranesi [exhibition catalogue] (London: Arts Council, 1978), 292-316; A.M. Hind, Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1922 repr. 1967), 87. J. Wilton-Ely, Piranesi as architect and designer (1993); J. Scott, 'Some sculptures from Hadrain's Villa, Tivoli', in Piranesi e la cultura antiquaria (1983), p.339-47.
Summary Note
The 'title-plate' of Volume II carries no title but only the words 'Tomo Secondo', with the dedication and a descriptive caption. Dates are engraved on three plates in Volume II: 1786 (pl. [87]), 1790 (pl. 111), 1791 (pl. 112) (all signed by Piranesi's son, Francesco.) It appears that the work was complete (with 112 plates) by 1792 - when it is listed by Francesco Piranesi in his Oeuvres des Chevaliers Jean-Baptiste et François Piranesi. But it is first mentioned in an earlier state in the 19th state of Piranesi's Catalogo, ca. 1772; where a price is given for each plate - implying that plates may have been available separately earlier. The RIBA catalogue distinguishes a probable eight states between 1778 and 1791.
There is no text, apart from captions to plates. These generally indicate the origin and present location and ownership of the object shown (several outside Italy, and several in Piranesi's own studio). Many carry a dedication by Piranesi. Most of these are to British patrons of the arts; but the dedication of the second volume is to Count Shuvalov, who was instrumental in founding Moscow University (1754) and the Russian Academy of Arts (1757).
The plates include images of the two candelabra presented by Sir Roger Newdigate to Oxford University (now in the Ashmolean Museum), and of a vase from Hadrian's Villa (pl. 15) which became a model for the Doncaster Race Cup.
Provenance
Recorded in RAA Library, Catalogue, 1802.
Binding Note
19th-century half calf, brown paper-covered boards; green morocco spine-labels lettered 'Piranesi Vasi E Candelabra Tom. I. (II.)', spine lettered 'R.A. 1779'.
Subject
Vases, Roman - Candelabras, Roman - Candlestands - Cippi - Sarcophagi - Bas-reliefs - Sculpture - Tripods (stands), Roman - Lamps, Roman - Italy - History
Pictorial works - Italy - 18th century