The Forum of Nerva – First State
Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778), The Forum of Nerva; With the Two Half-Buried Corinthian Columns, etching, 1770, from the Views of Rome [with the title on stone lower left: Veduta degli Avanzi del Foro di Nerva, signed lower right: C. Piranesi f.]. References: Hind 95, Focillon 750, Wilton Ely 228. The first state (of 4), before numbers. In excellent condition, with the usual centerfold and full margins, 18 3/4 x 28, the sheet 21 x 30 3/4 inches.
A fine fresh impression.
Watermark: Fleur de Lys in a Double Circle (Robison’s watermark 34, Hind’s watermark 3).
This lifetime impression is of course relatively rare; for example both Hind and Wilton-Ely illustrate the print with a second state impression.
![piranesi1 piranesi1](https://harrisschrank.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/piranesi11-700x525.jpg)
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![piranesi2 piranesi2](https://harrisschrank.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/piranesi2-700x525.jpg)
Detail