This book, published to accompany SMK’s exhibition Piranesi – Vision and Veracity, explores the power of his art to fascinate viewers. Thanks to his supreme mastery of graphic techniques, Piranesi was able to create detailed and impressive visual universes in which it is impossible not to lose oneself. The ruins of antiquity are a favoured motif in his mission to show the Rome of the past as the zenith of civilisation, creativity and innovation.

Piranesi’s goal was not, however, solely to depict reality as he saw it. He infused his images with impressive, dramatic elements, radically manipulating their perspectives. The resulting works convince as both visions and veracity.