Artwork

Views of Rome: Temple of the Sibyl at Tivoli

Views of Rome:  Temple of the Sibyl at Tivoli, by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, 1761
Views of Rome:  Temple of the Sibyl at Tivoli, by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, 1761

Views of Rome: Temple of the Sibyl at Tivoli is a print by the Romanticist artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi. It dates from 1761 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Views of Rome: Temple of the Sibyl at Tivoli is a print by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, created around 1761, and is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts the Temple of the Sibyl at Tivoli, showing a circular structure with tall columns and a domed roof, set amidst trees and surrounding buildings, with figures working or strolling in the foreground.

Technique & Style

Piranesi's use of chiaroscuro creates a dramatic contrast between light and dark, emphasizing the temple and adding to the overall sense of age and neglect.

Context

The temple is shown in a state of ruin, with broken or missing columns, conveying a sense of decay and highlighting the passage of time.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Artist

Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Giovanni Battista (or Giambattista) Piranesi (Italian pronunciation: ; also known as simply Piranesi; 4 October 1720 – 9 November 1778) was an Italian classical archaeologist, architect, and artist, famous for his…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.