Classical Design: Piranesi Vases or Piranesi Urns.

A brilliant classical artist whose work is still admired - even though his name is often unknown. The series of Piranesi Vases, often simply referred to as Urns, will always find a place in classic design.

An 18th century architect by profession, Giovanni Battista Piranesi was a graphic artist of technical brilliance and of great expressive range. At his workshop he restored and designed amazing stone structures. His creations  often combined fantasy themes from his Baroque training, with his Roman archaeological discoveries. Piranesi's extensive work in the field of Roman archaeology was acknowledged by his election to the Society of Antiquaries of London.

Admiration of classical antiquity was reflected in Piranesi's imaginative restoration of the antiquities he found in Rome. Piranesi was commissioned by British patrons as well as wealthy locals, as is indicated in the elegant descriptive script on the copperplate engravings he produced to illustrate his work.

Piranesi's superb series of architectural design pieces are well-defined copperplate engraved illustrations on hand-made paper that were engraved and etched for "Vasi, Candelabri, Cippi y Sarcofagi, Tripodi Lucerne ed Ornamenti Antichi” published in Rome between 1773 and 1778. They make a dramatic statement in any decor - giving a stylish classical ambience to modern design.

There are many grand original engravings on hand-made paper, available from our website under Antique Prints-Classical/Design at  http://www.antiqueprintclub.com/c-22-classicaldesign.aspx?pagenum=8, or from the Brisbane Antique Emporium in Clayfield (open daily - except on public holidays).

Reproduction prints in the original size are available from the Heritage Editions-Classical/Design at http://www.antiqueprintclub.com/c-46-classicaldesign.aspx?pagenum=2 were printed during the 1990s to satisfy the demand by designers, bringing elegance and timelessness to modern contemporary living spaces.  (Please note that the digital images of our Heritage Editions prints do not do justice to the quality of these recently printed fine quality prints on heavy duty paper.)

Grand Raphael designs from the Vatican.

Have you ever had a great holiday, and returned, still marvelling at the wonderful classical style found in the centuries old buildings you saw? You may not be able to build your own stone chateau or even construct a country mansion like you saw in Europe, but have you considered bringing the style into your own home with the stunning designs from wall decoration you saw? Centuries ago, intricate carving and painting of walls and ceilings was done by important artisans. Illustrations of this beautiful work was circulated by engraving copperplates for printing and publishing to enable the rest of the world to enjoy them.

Some of the grandest antique prints ever created show the intricate wall decoration of Raphael pilaster frescos for the Vatican. The designs by Raphaello di Giovanni Santi d' Urbino (1483-1520) were painted on the pillars of the loggia (arcade) to the Pope's private residence at the Vatican. In the 1770's, two hundred years after Raphael and his assistants painted the walls, doors and ceiling arches at the Vatican, an impressive set of magnificent copperplate engravings were created. These are the finest record of Raphael's decorative genius. 

Because of their grand size, two large plates were engraved by skilled artists and engravers for each pilaster. Each pair of original prints from these plates was joined after printing, for publication. These magnificent engravings are remarkable not only as an important visual record of Raphael's stunning designs, but also for the quality and depth of colour that was done by hand with gouache and watercolour.

So great was the importance placed on the grand images of Raphael's pilasters, that ten years later, pairs of the pilasters were engraved half the size of the first publication, for further circulation. Raphael's designs were transposed this time as exquisite finely detailed copperplate engravings that were published in Paris. Once again, they are appreciated not only for their excellent engraving but also for the brilliance of their hand-colouring.


We are fortunate today to be able to have personal ongoing enjoyment of the hand-coloured copper engravings of Raphael decoration of the Vatican walls and ceilings. The arches and ceililng vaults were also artistical genius. Images of wall decoration are able to provide grand decor in any environment. Today we are able to enclose the work of art with conservation materials for preservation, and display it within a suitable frame.

If you too would like to own your personal piece of classical antiquity, visit the Antique Print Club-house at Neranwood in the hills behind the Gold Coast on Sundays or by appointment (refreshment provided!), or buy from our website at Antique Prints/Classical/Design at http://www.antiqueprintclub.com/c-22-classicaldesign.aspx?pagenum=2 We have a number of these superb original copperplate engravings, as well as some from the later smaller series - a group of them already framed -, so please let us know if you would like to see them.