Giovan Battista Piranesi engraved about a thousand plates, including large ones, between 1740 and 1778 (the year of his death). Among these is there is the famous panel called Ichnographiam del Campo Marzio dell’Antica Roma, the largest map he made (156×156 cm) that De Castelli reproduced in copper thanks to the special erosion technique. The Treviso-based company has developed this technique through a long research process taking inspiration from the artistic tradition of etching.

The Ichnographia Campi Martii Antiquae Urbis is a work created specifically for the exhibition. A contemporary interpretation of Piranesian skills, conducted by the company by reinterpreting the typical processes of craftsmanship through advanced technologies and continuous experimentation.

The special treatments of De Castelli, similar to the gestures of Piranesi, give the materials depth of nuances, variety of textures, chromatic extraordinariness, material perception, with completely new results that bring metal back to the center of a completely renewed scene.

The exhibition is promoted by the Amici di Giovanni Comisso Association and by Assindustria Venetocentro with the patronage of the City of Treviso, in memory of the third centenary of the artist’s birth and on the occasion of the XL edition of the Giovanni Comisso Literary Prize Veneto Region – City of Treviso.

Exhibition curated by Clelia Maria Bonardi, catalog curated by Pierluigi Panza and Clelia Maria Bonardi with contributions by Ennio Bianco and Denise Archiutti. Historical archival research by Pierluigi Panza.