Giambattista Piranesi (1720-1778) - Lot 33

Giambattista Piranesi (1720-1778) Trofeo o sia Magnifica colonna coclide... About 1775. One vol. large in-fol. [550 x 840]. Etching and burin. Suite of 32 bound plates, some with 2 subjects on a single leaf, including the two columns, Trajan and Antonine, in 6 leaves, planed and filled. Some plates engraved by Francesco Piranesi. Fine proofs on strong laid paper. Used condition (foxing, oxidation, creasing, occasional small tears and wormholes at edges). Modest hardback, faded. The full title of the suite is Trofeo o sia magnifica colonna coclide di Marmo composta di grossi macigni ove si veggono scolpite le due guerre daciche fatte, da Trajano inalzata nel mezzo del Gran Foro eretto al medesimo imperadore per ordine del senato e popolo romano doppo i suoi trionfi (Trophy or magnificent spiral marble column composed of large stone blocks in which we see engraved the two Dacian wars, raised under Trajan in the middle of the Grand Forum erected [in honor] of the same emperor by order of the Senate and the Roman people after his triumphs). The collection includes three series of prints representing the three monumental columns erected in Rome in honor of the emperors Trajan, Marcus Aurelius and Antoninus the Pious (the so-called Antonine column is actually dedicated to Marcus Aurelius). The project required a complete survey of the columns. It was carried out with the decisive collaboration of part of Piranesi's workshop, notably his son Francesco and draughtsman Vincenzo Dolcibene. A suspended gondola was used to survey the column and the bas-reliefs that adorn the entire surface of the shaft. For the lower parts, scaffolding was used. As with any architectural survey, the plates in the album are accompanied by installation plans, a scale and height measurements for each element of the column, given in Roman palms. Detail of plates (in order of binding):- 2nd frontispiece with medallion dedicated to Clement XIV. Focillon 552; Wilton-Ely 686. Oxidation to edges with missing center foot. - Frontispiece with title Trofeo o sia magnifica colonna cloclide di marmo... Focillon 551; Wilton-Ely 685. Oxidation to edges with missing center at foot. - Sessione verticale della Colonna Trajana... Pl. IV. Focillon 554; Wilton-Ely 688. 3 assembled pl. Oxidation to edges with missing left margin. Extensive light foxing.- Sessione del piedestallo, e base della Colonna Trajana; Sessione del piedestallo della Colonna Trajana. Pl. V. Focillon 555 and 556; Wilton-Ely 689 and 690. 2 subjects on one sheet. Oxidation to edges with missing left margin. Extensive light foxing. - Sessione del piedestallo, e base della Colonna Trajana; Sessione del piedestallo, e base della Colonna Trajana. Pl. VI. Focillon 557 and 558; Wilton-Ely 691 and 692. Oxidation. Rufous halo on left edge.- Parti in grande della Colonna Trajana; Sessione del piedestallo, e base della Colonna Trajana. Pl. VII. Focillon 559 and 560; Wilton-Ely 694 and 693. 2 subjects on one sheet. Oxidation. Rufous halo on left edge.- Perno di metallo disegnato... ; Dimostrazione delle Superficie... Pl. VIII. Focillon 561 and 562; Wilton-Ely 696 and 695. 2 subjects on one sheet. Oxidation to edges. - Veduta del Prospetto principale della Colonna Trajana. Pl. III. Focillon 553; Wilton-Ely 687. 6 plates assembled. Oxidation to edges. Minor damage to joints. - Pedestal, door and inscription of the Colonna Trajana. Pl. IX. Focillon 563; Wilton-Ely 697.- Piedestallo, e base della Colonna Trajana. Pl. X. Focillon 564; Wilton-Ely 698. Reddish halo with missing lower margin. - Le roture degl' angoli... (Other side of the pedestal). Pl. XI. Focillon 565; Wilton-Ely 699. - Other side of the pedestal. Pl. XII. Focillon 566; Wilton-Ely 700.- Other side of the pedestal. Pl. XIII. Focillon 567; Wilton-Ely 701.- Trofei de Daci, de Sarati ed altri Popoli... Pl. XIV. Focillon 568; Wilton-Ely 702. Oxidation, russeting and minor edgewear. Long oblique tear crossing the subject at lower left. - Veduta del Prospetto principale della Colonna Antonina. Focillon 574; Wilton-Ely 708. 6 plates assembled. Oxidation to edges. Minor damage to joints. - Dimostrazione in grande della base del Piedestallo della Colonna Trajana. Pl. XV. Focillon 569; Wilton-Ely 703. Heavy dusting and a few wormholes at the edges. Weakness in the lower right corner. - Dimostrazione in grande della cornice del Piedestallo della Colonna Trajana. Pl. XVI. Focillon 570; Wilton-Ely 704. Heavy dusting and a few wormholes at the edges. Weakness in the lower right corner.- Dimostraz