A large Piranesi Etching

A large 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi (Rome (1720-1778), with a view of the Arch of Septimius Severus in Rome, the Temple of Saturn depicted in the background. Typically for the works of Piranesi, this etching depicts not only the decaying ruins of Ancient Rome, but also figures in ragged clothes and unkempt vegetation in the foreground. Inscribed on the bottom left  "Cavalier Piranesi Del. et Inc.". This etching is from Piranesi's famous series of etching of the 'Views of Rome', sold in the 18th century to European 'Grand Tour' clients. The lower-right hand with a Cartouche inscribed with "Veduta dell' Arco di Settimio Severo".  Area of Rome, circa 1770.