quondam @ archinect/79/7902z.htm
can you spot the differences?
Stephen Lauf 2003.11.17 18:04
ACL
The two plans are NOT identical.
An additional hint was provided above.
Almost 250 years passed before the differences were discovered (by me in 1999), so perheps then it is not surprising that it should take you more than 25 minutes to make a similar discovery.
There are six buildings throuhghout the Ichnographia that have been changed into what is virtually an identical plan. Four of the differences are clearly visible; the other two are more difficult to see because of the resolution, but still very discernable once the differences are known.
Don't blame me for the teaser, blame Piranesi, a real artist of torturing (eg, the Carceri/Prisons) perception.
can you spot the differences?
Stephen Lauf 2003.11.17 19:04
You found two of the differences, and indeed all the original circus designs have been subsequently changed to circus plans derived from the Circus of Maxentius. Other drawings within the entire CAMPO MARZIO opus indicate that the left image is the Ichnographia in its first state.
This discovery has already been shared at various venues online in 2000.
I don't recall stating that anything about the differences was obvious, but your search does provide some insight into your/the perception of perception.
Thanks for playing reenactment.
can you spot the differences?
Stephen Lauf 2003.11.17 20:22
Each of the six circuses delineated within the Ichnographia (large plan) were completely changed in design configuration to the perfected configuration that is found in the real Circus of Maxentius (306-312 AD). Piranesi's own circus designs (ie, with the openings) in the first state are very stylized versions of a circus plan.
Piranesi spent a lot of time surveying and measuring Roman ruins, and perhaps he himself measured the Circus of Maxentius, found the refinement of its plan (apparently the Circus of Maxentius is the most refined arena layout for chariot racing), and thought to change his circus designs after some verions of the Ichnographia were already published (--but here I'm only making a possible guess).
All the long U-shaped plans in both renditions of the large plan are circuses--one circus along the mid to upper left edge is cut out and not shown in its entirety.
can you spot the differences?
ps 2003.11.17 20:23
No one has to care about any of this.
The point is, however, that the books in today's market that clain to be "complete" Piranesi are indeed incomplete.
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