Piranesi Etchings in the Free Library of Philadelphia

It is amazing to witness the rich stores of art that can be found in Philadelphia, sometimes in not so obvious places. There are for example a dozen or so superb etchings by Giovanni Battista Piranesi (Italian, d.1778,) on display at the Free Library of Philadelphia. The prints are absolutely gorgeous if a little bit frightening. They depict, in Piranesi's words, "prisons of the imagination." These works show dark interiors of ancient prisons, full of ghastly machinery, pulleys, wheels, chains, wracks and all things macabre. I am struck by a few things as I contemplate these works. They are absolutely monumental in scale. One wonders how many lost souls simply withered away in these dark and cavernous structures. They are richly detailed. You could spend a half hour on one print, come back some other day and find lots of new surprises. Finally, it seems clear that Piranesi was showing off his perfect understanding of linear perspective.

Tell me your thoughts about Piranesi, Etchings or anything else about art.