{"product_id":"sarcophagus-of-emperor-severus-alexander-and-julia-avita-mamaea-giovanni-battista-piranesi","title":"Sarcophagus of Emperor Severus Alexander and Julia Avita Mamaea - Giovanni Battista Piranesi","description":"\u003cp\u003eA detailed etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi documenting the relief carvings of an ancient Roman sarcophagus, originally published in Le Antichità Romane.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi depicts the relief carvings found on the sarcophagus traditionally attributed to the Roman Emperor Severus Alexander and his mother, Julia Avita Mamaea. The work appeared in the second volume of his monumental publication, Le Antichità Romane, which documented the architectural and sculptural remnants of ancient Rome. Piranesi employed a precise, analytical line to capture the classical iconography present on the marble surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition is divided into two distinct registers. The upper section features a series of mythological figures arranged in a frieze, including reclining deities and a central scene involving a winged figure. The lower register displays a narrative procession, incorporating horses, chariots, and figures in classical attire. Piranesi used varying line weights to suggest the depth and volume of the original stone carving, effectively translating three-dimensional relief into a two-dimensional print medium. The inclusion of lettering, such as the 'A', 'B', and 'C' markers, indicates the print's original purpose as a scholarly reference for antiquarians and architects of the eighteenth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePiranesi was a trained architect, and his approach to documenting these antiquities reflects a desire to preserve the visual record of Roman history. His work remains a primary source for understanding the state of these artefacts during the mid-eighteenth century. The clarity of the etching allows for a close examination of the anatomical proportions and the drapery of the figures, which were characteristic of the Roman imperial style. By isolating the sarcophagus from its physical context, Piranesi allows the viewer to focus entirely on the sculptural narrative, removed from the clutter of the museum or site environment. This print is a clear example of the technical skill and historical rigour that defined his career as an etcher and chronicler of the classical world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/ministere-de-la-marine-fictions-voeux-charles-meryon\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eMinistère de la Marine (Fictions \u0026amp; Vœux) by Charles Méryon\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/hadrian-entering-salonica-william-walcot\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eHadrian Entering Salonica by William Walcot\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/giovanni-battista-piranesi\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#2a555a;border:1px solid #2a555a;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#ffffff;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eGiovanni Battista Piranesi artwork →\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Giovanni Battista Piranesi","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":59476405027151,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59476409123151,"sku":null,"price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59476409155919,"sku":null,"price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59476409188687,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59476409221455,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59476409254223,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59476409286991,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59476409319759,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59476409352527,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59476409385295,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59476409418063,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59476409450831,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Sarcophagus-of-Emperor-Severus-Alexander-and-Julia-Avita-Mamaea_Poster_CompositorV1_1794457492206.jpg?v=1794457650","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/products\/sarcophagus-of-emperor-severus-alexander-and-julia-avita-mamaea-giovanni-battista-piranesi","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}