The Man on the Rack, from: Carceri d'Invenzione Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Plate II of the Second Edition. A very good, richly inked and early impression of Robison’s fifth state (of six), printing with very strong contrasts and showing no signs of wear. From the Second Edition, Fourth Issue, published from the mid-1770s to 1835, with the Roman numeral at upper right. The first edition of the 'Carceri', published by Giovanni Bouchard circa 1749–50, comprised fourteen plates. Approximately eleven years later, in 1761, Piranesi published the substantially reworked Second Edition himself, with his name added to the title-page. The plates were more deeply etched, resulting in considerably stronger impressions with dramatic chiaroscuro effects. For this edition Piranesi also added two new compositions: the present plate, 'The Man on the Rack', and 'The Lion Bas-Reliefs‘. With wide margins. – With the characteristic flattened central fold and slight handling creases. Otherwise in very good condition. | 1720 Venice - Rome 1778 | 15.-18. Jahrhundert | Druckgrafik | Nummer: 26x1368 | Provenance: Sotheby’s, London, 28 February 1988, lot 647.

Estimate:£2,792.14

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