Albano altar

This drawing of the so-called Albano Altar is one of the most revealing sheets in the Karlsruhe albums. Piranesi actually owned this object and it is one of the most frequently reproduced antiquities in his oeuvre. Its manner of representation here illuminates the vital role that the medium of drawing played as a bridge between various production steps in Piranesi’s workshop. The sheet highlights Piranesi’s artistic interest in Roman antiquity and serves as a vivid reminder of his sideline as a dealer in antiquities. The various steps in the drawing process, the revisions and reworkings and added notes also provide insight into workshop practice. Visible oil stains on the paper are indications that the image was traced, serving as the design for prints in the Vasi, candelabri.