The impact of graphic works of Giovanni Battista Piranesi upon the formation of conceptual architecture and real architectural space

Abstract

The subject of this research is the graphic heritage of the prominent Venetian master of the XVIII century Giovanni Battista Piranesi. The goal consists in examination of the role of Piranesi’s heritage in history of art and architecture. The author demonstrates the key milestones of his creative path, reveals the fundamental conceptual questions and themes of his graphic compositions. The defining influence of the depicted architectural compositions of Piranesi on the formation of one or another architectural object is viewed on the particular historical examples. The main research method consists in drawing parallels and designation of continuity of architectural ideas between the works of Giovanni Battista Piranesi and such architects successors as Joseph Paxton, Antonio Sant'Elia, Tony Garnier, Pietro di Gottardo Gonzaga, Ivan Leonidov, etc. The scientific novelty and practical importance of the article lies in tracing the trajectory of influence of the ideas, themes and architectural-spatial solutions of the great aquafortist upon his contemporaries and all following generations of architects. Particular historical examples demonstrate the defining influence of the depicted architectural compositions of Piranesi on the formation of one or another architectural object, as well as the emergence of famous conceptual architectural projects (including projects-utopias) in historical retrospective until the present time.