Giovanni Battista Piranesi, dit Piranèse

Piranesi 1720, Mogliano, Veneto, Veneto – 1778, Rome. Introduced to antique languages and Roman history by his elder brother, Piranesi discovered Rome and its architectural treasures in 1740, before settling there in 1747. A draughtsman and engraver who produced breathtaking perspectives, he took great pleasure in inventing elaborate ancient monuments based on his considerable architectural knowledge. In 1750, he published the fascinating Imaginary Prisons. After his death, his children continued his work by publishing among other things, a complete catalogue of his engravings including his magnificent views of Rome, which continue to amaze the viewer even today.