453 - Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720 Venice – Rome 1778), *The Man on the Rack*, from: *Carceri d'Invenzione*.

Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720 Venice – Rome 1778), *The Man on the Rack*, from: *Carceri d'Invenzione*. Etching, engraving, sulfur tint on laid paper. (c. 1749). 56.6 x 41.7 cm (plate); 77.2 x 55.2 cm (sheet). Focillon 25; Hind 2 I (of II); Wilton-Ely 27, Robison 43 V (of VI); Ficacci 111. Provenance: Sotheby’s, London, February 28, 1988, lot 647. Plate II of the Second Edition. A very good, richly inked, and early impression of Robison’s fifth state (of six), printed with very strong contrasts and showing no signs of wear. From the Second Edition, Fourth Issue, published from the mid-1770s to 1835, with the Roman numeral in the upper right. The first edition of the *Carceri*, published by Giovanni Bouchard circa 1749–50, comprised fourteen plates. Approximately eleven years later, in 1761, Piranesi published the substantially reworked Second Edition himself, with his name added to the title page. The plates were etched more deeply, resulting in considerably stronger impressions with dramatic chiaroscuro effects. For this edition, Piranesi also added two new compositions: the present plate, “The Man on the Rack,” and “The Lion Bas-Reliefs.” With wide margins. – With the characteristic flattened central fold and slight handling creases. Otherwise in very good condition. Taxation: subject to regular taxation (VAT: Regular Taxation).