Photograph by Ed Pollard, Hasselblad H4D50 - 2017.

The Monumental Tablet

Artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi (Italian, 1720-1778)

Dateca. 1761-65

MediumEtching with engraving and drypoint

DimensionsOverall, Image: 21 1/4 × 29 in. (54 × 73.7 cm)
Overall, Mat: 24 1/8 × 32 in. (61.3 × 81.3 cm)

ClassificationsEuropean art

Credit LineMuseum purchase with funds provided by Barbara and Andrew Fine, Leah and Richard Waitzer, Pat and Doug Perry, Wall, Einhorn & Chernitzer, P.C., Virginia and John Hitch, Margaret Shepherd Ray, Sharon and Joseph Dilustro, Page Fitchett and Mrs. Thomas H. Willcox, Jr. in recognition of Jeff Harrison and his 33 years of service to the Chrysler Museum of Art.

Object number2016.3.4

On View

Not on view

DescriptionThe Monumental Tablet, II/IV, one of a set of four etchings by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, commonly known together as the Groteschi or Capricci Groteschi, (the Grotesques or the Grotesque Caprices).

The artist’s name and the address of his studio are included in the plates: Piranesi inventó, ed incise (Piranesi invented and incised) Ap.o Piranesi dirimpetto l’Accademia di Francia in Roma. (Ap[artment]) Piranesi across from the French Academy in Rome).

The watermark of the fleur-de-lis within a double circle surmounted by the letters CB helps to date the prints to a period between 1761 and the mid 1760s. This was the time of the second edition of the prints.

Label TextGiovanni Battista Piranesi Italian, 1720-1778 Grotteschi (Grotesques), ca. 1761-65 Etchings with engraving and drypoint The Skeletons The Triumphal Arch The Tomb of Nero The Monumental Tablet These four etchings are commonly known as the Groteschi or Capricci Groteschi (the Grotesques or the Grotesque Caprices). A capriccio often combines in a single view monuments or objects from different places that do not belong together. Rather than depicting a specific subject, these prints present a mix of ideas and themes. Museum purchase with funds provided by Barbara and Andrew Fine, Leah and Richard Waitzer, Pat and Doug Perry, Wall, Einhorn & Chernitzer, P.C., Virginia and John Hitch, Margaret Shepherd Ray, Sharon and Joseph Dilustro, Page Fitchett and Mrs. Thomas H. Willcox, Jr. in recognition of Jeff Harrison and his 33 years of service to the Chrysler Museum of Art 2016.3.4