| |
| |
The Discovery of Piranesi's Final Project
31 May 2022
Dear Cynthia Davidson,
I'm writing to ask whether Log would be interested in publishing a densely illustrated expository essay entitled "The Discovery of Piranesi's Final Project." Since having discovered now three instances of Piranesi plans existing in altered, second states--the Ichnographia Campus Martius, the Pianta dell antico Foro Romano, and, as of two days ago, a third plan that has till now received no attention at all--the discovery of these changed plans, along with the specificity of what Piranesi changed, and how the new plans were ultimately published infer a singular project pursued by Piranesi the last year of his life. In fact, several features of the manifested/surviving documents suggest that the project was cut short by Piranesi's death, and, subsequently, Piranesi's two eldest children, Laura and Francesco, finished the project as best they could. That three heretofore unknown Piranesi printings were discovered within the past 23 years is in itself historically significant, but perhaps even more significant is that we can now reasonably surmise as to Piranesi's personal passion and obsession just before he died.
More than anything, this story of multiple architectural discoveries leading to a real glimpse into Piranesi's process and thinking needs an editor that will bring all of it to its full potential. Cynthia, I firmly believe that editor is you because you will come to know best how this story fits within our rapidly evolving times. On the other hand, if, the more things change, the more they stay the same, and Log will not be publishing this story, than at least keep me informed of that.
Sincerely yours,
Stephen Lauf
|
