Piranesi-11024 - A black and white drawing of a man sitting on a chair

Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) was an Italian artist and architect, best known for his etchings of Rome and his imaginative architectural designs. Born in Venice, he studied architecture and engineering before moving to Rome in 1740, where he established himself as an artist and engraver. Piranesi's etchings of Rome, which he began producing in the 1740s, are characterised by dramatic lighting, intricate detail and a sense of grandeur. Many of these works depict ancient ruins and monuments, such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon, but Piranesi also created fantastic scenes of imaginary buildings and landscapes. In addition to his etchings, Piranesi was also known for his architectural designs, which were heavily influenced by the classical architecture of ancient Rome. He created numerous designs for buildings, bridges and other structures, many of which were never built but remain influential today. Piranesi's work had a significant impact on the development of neoclassical architecture and design in Europe, and his etchings continue to be admired for their technical skill and artistic vision.