Artwork
The Giant Wheel
The Giant Wheel is an ink print by the Baroque artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Giant Wheel is a print created by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in 1750, combining etching and engraving techniques. It showcases Piranesi's skill as a printmaker and his interest in architectural themes.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a fantastical scene centered around a massive wheel, surrounded by arches and columns, with figures on top and people gathered below. The image conveys a sense of awe and drama, though its specific meaning remains open to interpretation.
Technique & Style
Piranesi's use of etching and engraving creates intricate details and textures, giving the image depth and dimensionality. The application of shading and contrast enhances the dramatic effect of the scene, demonstrating Piranesi's technical skill and imaginative approach to printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
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…
The Prisons: A Prison Door
The Well
The Staircase with Trophies
The Staircase with Trophies
The Arch with a Shell Ornament
The Prisons: An Immense Interior with a Drawbridge
The Drawbridge
The Prisons: A Perspective of Roman Arches, with Two Lions Carved in Relief on Stone Slabs in the Foreground
The Arch with a Shell Ornament
The Well