PIRANESI, Giovanni Battista ( 1720--1778)
Antichità di Cora descritte ed incise da Giovambat Piranesi
[Rome]:, [G.B. Piranesi],, [1764].
[2], 15, [1] p., etch. t.-pl., X etch. pl. (1 fold.) : etch. illus. ; 54.7 cm. (1°)

Although a further work on the antiquities of the Etruscans was planned, the Antichità di Cora proved to be the last of Piranesi's major archaeological statements of his obdurate belief in the priority of a pure Roman architecture, undiluted by neighbouring Greek colonial influences. It is principally devoted to recording the massive masonry of the fortified wall of the town of Cori and the ancient ruins of the 'Tempio d'Ercole'. Although dated 1763 in Francesco Piranesi's 1792 catalogue of his father's works (perhaps on the basis of an approbation that may have been granted then), most authorities follow Hind in dating its first appearance to the following year (see Hind, Piranesi, p. 85; BAL Early printed works, no. 2548).

Copy Notes Bound (2) with I. B. Piranesii Lapides Capitolini, 1762 (q.v.) and Le Rovine del Castello dell'Acqua Giulia, 1761 (q.v.).

Binding C19th calf, gilt-ruled borders, gilt-ruled spine, red spine-label gilt-lettered 'Piranesi / Li Fasti / Antichit. / Di Cora. / Il Castel'. Part of a 12-volume set re-bound by Hood and McCullock, to whom Soane paid £24 on 3 July 1826. (Archive 16/12/38).

Reference Number 6414

Additional Names Hood & McCullock; Piranesi, Francesco (1758--1810)