Up for sale is an incredibly beautiful and rare etching by the talented 18th century Italian printmaker Giovanni Piranesi entitled “View of the Arch of Constantine and the Flavian Amphitheatre”. Piranesi is an artist who needs no introduction and whose large oeuvre of prints depicting Roman ruins are immediately recognizable by most collectors and enthusiasts. This print shows an intricate design and fine execution from the darker foreground of dense ruins, foliage and figures to the large arch and colosseum in the distance which stands out highlighted as a nearly cloudless sky is overhead. Measuring with its full sheet 19 1/2 x 29 1/2 inches the plate mark measures 16 x 21 1/2 inches and is in overall quite good condition. Some discoloration is present as well as minimal signs of handling and an overall light waviness to the sheet which is executed by the raking light in the provided photo because it looks wonderful when framed and hung. Originally printed in the mid 18th century this is a later edition with the present numbers “22IIII” low right and “34” in the upper right. The sheet has no watermark and appears to have been removed from a very large binding which can be seen along the top of the sheet. The images provided accurately represent the quality, condition and aesthetic beauty of this fine Piranesi etching of the Arch of Constantine and Colosseum but if you have any questions please feel free to ask prior to purchasing!