Giovanni Battista Piranesi
1720-1778
Roman Theater Mask
1776-1777
4 1/4 x 3 1/8 inches (107 x 79 mm)
Pen and brown ink on paper.
1966.11:45
Bequest of Junius S. Morgan and gift of Henry S. Morgan.
Notes
On same mat as 1966.11:44.
Together with 1966.11:43 and 44, this study, drawn in Piranesi's late style, dates from his time in Pompeii near the end of his life. The mask is similar to those found in many paintings, mosaics, and tombs at Pompeii, for example the masks at the tomb of the Istacidi family, located outside the city's Herculaneum Gate (show in situ in another of Piranesi's views, a sheet now in Copenhagen). This drawing was once part of the same sheet at 1966.11:44.
Together with 1966.11:43 and 44, this study, drawn in Piranesi's late style, dates from his time in Pompeii near the end of his life. The mask is similar to those found in many paintings, mosaics, and tombs at Pompeii, for example the masks at the tomb of the Istacidi family, located outside the city's Herculaneum Gate (show in situ in another of Piranesi's views, a sheet now in Copenhagen). This drawing was once part of the same sheet at 1966.11:44.
Inscriptions/Markings
Numbered at lower left, in graphite, "71".
Associated names
Morgan, Jane Norton, 1868-1925, former owner.
Morgan, Junius Spencer, 1892-1960, former owner.
Morgan, Henry S. (Henry Sturgis), 1900-1982, former owner.
Morgan, Junius Spencer, 1892-1960, former owner.
Morgan, Henry S. (Henry Sturgis), 1900-1982, former owner.
Bibliography
Stampfle, Felice. Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Drawings in the Pierpont Morgan Library. New York : Dover, 1978, no. 45, repr.
Artist
Classification
Century Drawings
School
Catalog link
Department