The fantasy landscapes of his labyrinthine stairs and bridges draw our eyes inward through a puzzling sense of mystery. The spaces continue unfolding endlessly, in the darkness beneath the earth. H…

Archival Giclée Print on 315gsm Cotton Rag Paper Signed and Numbered Edition of 20

This rare, museum-quality printmaking press dates from the first half of the seventeenth-century. Artists such as Abraham Bosse (1604-1676) and Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) used such printing presses. Bosse was one of the most important artists of this period in this discipline. Although an architect, Piranesi was also known for his superb engravings of Rome. See the picture of an engraving dated 1645 by Abraham Bosse that shows a printmaker working with a similar press. The legs are typical of the style of Henri II. This printing press, or ‘taille douce’ was used for several printing techniques including mezzotint, aquatint, intaglio, dry point etching and stipple engraving. The engraved copper plate was covered in ink, wiped off then laid onto the press with paper and fed through the heavy wheel, turned with the huge wooden spokes. In the early twentieth century the press belonged to an artist who lived in a building in the fourteenth arrondissement in Paris - the building was occupied by painters and sculptors. He sold the press to a couple who were both painters and parents of Karibou (also an artist). They used it throughout their working lives and passed it onto Karibou who has also made use of this historic press. Minor losses, repairs and wear as expected of a functioning printing press from this period - refer to photos and video. Read more about Karibou on our blog here. Condition and wear consistent with age and use.Overall height of frame 61" high x 74¾" wide x Overall depth including wheel 30" deep Overall height of frame 155cm high x 190cm wide x Overall depth including wheel 76cm deep

Up for sale is this antique lithograph after an etching by Italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778), originally created circa 1750. It is titled "Veduta dell Palazzo fabbricato sul Quirinale per la Segreterie de Brevi e della Sacra Consulta" and signed and titled on the plate, along with a description written in Italian. It is one of a series of Piranesi prints we are offering, all in good, vintage condition with Fascinated by the historic grandeur of the monuments of ancient and modern (18th century) Rome, Piranesi spent a lifetime recording the images of Roman remains. Trained as an architect, he also loved archeology. Combining his interests with amazing artistry, he produced a large body of detailed etchings illustrating the grandeur of Rome's structures. Piranesi’s etchings were popular and important souvenirs of Rome for European visitors making the Grand Tour of Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries and are still highly prized today. The detail in each of these prints is amazing, and with their size, they pack a big visual punch. Ah, for the days of Roman glory. less

This rare, museum-quality printmaking press dates from the first half of the seventeenth-century. Artists such as Abraham Bosse (1604-1676) and Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) used such printing presses. Bosse was one of the most important artists of this period in this discipline. Although an architect, Piranesi was also known for his superb engravings of Rome. See the picture of an engraving dated 1645 by Abraham Bosse that shows a printmaker working with a similar press. The legs are typical of the style of Henri II. This printing press, or ‘taille douce’ was used for several printing techniques including mezzotint, aquatint, intaglio, dry point etching and stipple engraving. The engraved copper plate was covered in ink, wiped off then laid onto the press with paper and fed through the heavy wheel, turned with the huge wooden spokes. In the early twentieth century the press belonged to an artist who lived in a building in the fourteenth arrondissement in Paris - the building was occupied by painters and sculptors. He sold the press to a couple who were both painters and parents of Karibou (also an artist). They used it throughout their working lives and passed it onto Karibou who has also made use of this historic press. Minor losses, repairs and wear as expected of a functioning printing press from this period - refer to photos and video. Read more about Karibou on our blog here. Condition and wear consistent with age and use.Overall height of frame 61" high x 74¾" wide x Overall depth including wheel 30" deep Overall height of frame 155cm high x 190cm wide x Overall depth including wheel 76cm deep

Archival Giclée Print on 315gsm Cotton Rag Paper Signed and Numbered Edition of 20