Print, Arch of Septimius Severus from "Vedute di Roma"

The arch of Septimius Severus was erected by the Roman Senate in 203 A.D. at the end of the Roman Forum in honor of this emperor’s successful battles against the Parthians. The four large panels depict the story of his eastern campaigns. Piranesi included a second view if the arch from the other side and completely excavated in the Vedute di Roma.

Piranesi probably began shortly after 1748 issuing the first of the large Vedute di Roma, a sequence of 135 plates which appeared individually or in groups over the remaining thirty years of his life. From the time Piranesi arrived in Rome from Venice, the classical remains absorbed the major portion of his attention. Papal authorities had just begun to halt the devastation and abuse of the ruins. Piranesi explored them, measured them, drew them, and published series upon series of etchings describing them. He was passionately interested in preserving for posterity the appearance of what he called "these speaking ruins." Although his approach was highly personal, his images were based on scientific observation and a specialized understanding of engineering and architecture. Arches were among the favored topic. In addition to those published in the Vedute, several were included in the series Antichita Romane.

Print, Arch of Septimius Severus from "Vedute di Roma"; Giovanni Battista Piranesi (Italian, 1720–1778); Italy; etching; 38.0 x 59.0 cm (plate mark), 51.2 x 70.9 ( paper); Gift of the Estate of Mrs. George Pendleton; 1939-9-2