Giovanni Battista Piranesi
1720-1778
Study of a Sphinx-footed Pedestal or Base
ca. 1761-1765
3 11/16 x 2 5/16 inches (95 x 60 mm)
Red chalk, over black chalk, on paper cut to a trapezoid.
1966.11:101
Bequest of Junius S. Morgan and gift of Henry S. Morgan.
Notes
On same mat as 1966.11:23
This Sphinx-footed (or perhaps griffin-footed) pedestal is akin to numerous ancient Roman works, among them examples in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Venice (inv. 1887.114, from the Grimani collection), the Musee du Louvre (inv. MA611), and the British Museum (inv. 1805,0703.223), although the precise model for Piranesi's drawing has not yet been identified. See 1966.11:47 verso for a related drawing.
This Sphinx-footed (or perhaps griffin-footed) pedestal is akin to numerous ancient Roman works, among them examples in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Venice (inv. 1887.114, from the Grimani collection), the Musee du Louvre (inv. MA611), and the British Museum (inv. 1805,0703.223), although the precise model for Piranesi's drawing has not yet been identified. See 1966.11:47 verso for a related drawing.
Inscriptions/Markings
Numbered at lower right, in graphite, "5".
Watermark: Double chain with religious symbol, fragment. Possibly a Kingdom of the Two Sicilies watermark akin to that in 1966.11:15.
Watermark: Double chain with religious symbol, fragment. Possibly a Kingdom of the Two Sicilies watermark akin to that in 1966.11:15.
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. 101, repr.
Artist
Classification
Century Drawings
School
Catalog link
Department