The Drawbridge (Carceri VII) from the series Prisons (Carceri)

Giovanni Battista Piranesi was a prominent eighteenth-century Italian engraver and draughtsman who primarily depicted architecture. He is well known for his printed views of Rome, including ancient ruins and Renaissance and Baroque architecture. In addition to his views of Rome, Piranesi created fantastical prints featuring invented scenes inspired by ancient ruins and architecture. Among them is his series of “Carceri” or “Prisons,” celebrated for their terrifying monumentality and the printmaker’s innovative use of etching techniques.