Minneapolis Institute of Art
The Porta Maggiore, Originally an Archway of the Aqua Claudia and the Anio Novus
Giovanni Battista PiranesiLinkedCulture matchlcp-4ee1b5daa952
- Date
- 1775
- Medium
- Etching and engraving
- Department
- European Art
- Institution
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Object ID
- 55209
From the Minneapolis Institute of Art record
Even the ancients recycled their architecture. The Porta Maggiore was originally built as a decorated segment of two aqueducts (structures for channeling water) built in 52 CE. The aqueducts brought Romans fresh water from sources miles away. The loss of adjacent segments of stonework has revealed two openings on the left side of the upper section, showing where water passed through the Porta Maggiore. In addition, two major roads ran through its larger arches. Later planners filled in the arches to incorporate this structure into the walled fortification surrounding Rome, and it became the main gate on the city’s east side. Italy, Europe
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Provenance & credit
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- Credit line
- The William M. Ladd Collection Gift of Herschel V. Jones, 1916
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