Arch of Vespasian, 1775, Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Italian (Rome), Italian, 1720–1778, 19 1/4 x 27 7/8 in. (48.9 x 70.8 cm) (plate)21 3/8 x 30 1/4 in. (54.29 x 76.84 cm) (sheet), Etching and engraving, Italy, 18th century, Even the ancients recycled their architecture. The Porta Maggiore was originally built as a decorated segment of two aqueducts (structures for channeling water) built in 52 CE. The aqueducts brought Romans fresh water from sources miles away. The loss of adjacent segments of stonework has revealed two openings on the left side of the upper section, showing where water passed through the Porta Maggiore. In addition, two major roads ran through its larger arches. Later planners filled in the arches to incorporate this structure into the walled fortification surrounding Rome, and it became the main gate on the city’s east side.
Keywords:
Arch, Vespasian, 1775, Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Italian, Rome, Italian, 1720–1778, plate, sheet, Etching, engraving, Italy, 18th century, Even, ancients recycled, architecture, Porta Maggiore, originally built, decorated segment, two aqueducts, structures, channeling water, built, 52 CE, aqueducts, Romans fresh water, sources miles away, loss, adjacent segments, stonework, revealed two openings, left side, upper section, showing, water passed, Porta Maggiore, addition, two major roads ran, larger arches, Later planners filled, arches, incorporate, structure, walled fortification surrounding Rome, main gate, city's east side
Image ID:
The watermark in the image will not appear on the final download.