Granite sisterne supported by four fauns resting on a base 1769 - 1778

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this print of a granite cistern supported by four fauns sometime in the 18th century. The composition exhibits a fascination with verticality, each element meticulously stacked to create a towering form. Piranesi masterfully uses line and shadow to articulate the intricate details of the sculpture. Consider the structural elements: the robust base, the fauns straining under the weight, and the cistern itself. Each layer contributes to a sense of monumental grandeur, while the intricate details invite closer inspection. Piranesi destabilizes traditional notions of scale. Is this a study of a real object or an imagined construction? This tension between reality and invention complicates our understanding. The play of light and shadow creates depth and volume, further enhancing the sculpture's dramatic presence. The calculated composition, combined with meticulous detail, transforms the image into an investigation of form, function, and the aesthetics of power.