443 - Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720 Venice – Rome 1778), *The Smoking Fire*, from: *Carceri d'Invenzione*.

Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720 Venice – Rome 1778), *The Smoking Fire*, from: *Carceri d'Invenzione*. Etching, engraving, and sulfur tint on laid paper, watermark: Fleur-de-Lys within a single circle (Hind 1). (c. 1749). 54 x 40 cm (plate); 76.5 x 53.2 cm (sheet). Focillon 29; Hind 6 I (of III); Wilton-Ely 31; Robison 32 I (of VII); Ficacci 115. Provenance: Thomas Agnew & Sons, London (Old Bond Street, inv. no. CM 3275), with their label on the reverse of the mount; Christie’s, London, June 2, 1996. Plate VI from: *Carceri d'Invenzione*. A very fine lifetime impression of Robison’s first state (of seven), with ink smudges on the wall on the left, from the First Edition, probably the Third Issue, published in Rome circa 1749–60. Before the addition of the six round-topped stone pillars along the lower edge. With wide margins around the partially uncleaned plate edges. – With the characteristic flattened central fold and some associated rubbing. With scattered foxing. Verso with rubbing and remnants of old adhesive tape in the upper and lower left corners. Otherwise in good condition. An exceptionally rare impression in this early state. Taxation: subject to standard taxation (VAT: Regular Taxation).