Acqua Virgo

Interior view of the Cavern of the Acqua Virgo (Scenographia operis includentis Specum Aquae Virginis), “The Campus Martius of Ancient Rome,” Plate 20, c. 1762, Etching on laid paper, Sheet/Page 40.48 H x 53.82 W cm (15 15/16 H x 21 3/16 W in), Gift from the Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art (Bequest of Frank B. Bristow), GW Collection (CGA.68.26.528)

By Alyssa Jung

The title of this etching – Interior view of the Cavern of the Acqua Virgo – speaks for itself as a metaphor for the intertwining of nature and human ingenuity. The fierce, unfaltering flow of water, once a lifeline for the city, demonstrates the dynamic relationship between the raw environment and architectural innovation. The cavern’s design fosters contemplation, inviting viewers to reflect on the monumental achievements of Ancient Rome. Piranesi’s composition exhibits a sense of romantic mystique with his dramatic use of vaulted arches highlighting the almost-heroic remains of ancient engineering. Vegetation blooms across virtually every crack in the exposed brick and remaining plaster surface.

The harmonious proportions and symmetry of the space reflect the Roman ethos of balance and functionality, a principle that was imperative to their existence and craft. Inscribed on the bottom portion of the etching lies a handwritten message in Latin. It speaks of the location and directional flow of the Claudian aqueduct (Aqua Claudia) and that the Aqua Virgo itself is an underground cavern attached to it.

Constructed in 19 BCE during the reign of Emperor Augustus, the Aqua Virgo was one of the eleven ancient aqueducts that supplied water to Rome. It was commissioned by the architect Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, who was a close friend and general of Augustus and played a crucial role in the aqueduct's development.. Located in the Campo Marzio area, this cavern served as a water reservoir and distribution point for the aqueduct. The design reflects Roman engineering prowess, showcasing how they harnessed and managed water for public baths and fountains in regards to public health. The historical significance lies in the aqueduct’s role in sustaining the city’s water supply during ancient times. The duct spanned approximately twenty-four miles, featuring a combination of underground channels and above-ground colonnaded arcades, mentioned in the inscription. It exemplifies the advanced and sophisticated Roman engineering techniques that were employed – such as the use of gravity to transport water.

Piranesi's etchings not only serve as historical documents but also as artistic interpretations that influenced the perception of classical architecture in the eighteenth century. In combination with Piranesi’s breathtaking aesthetic techniques, his depiction of the Aqua Virgo contributes to a deeper understanding of the aqueduct's significance situated within the broader context of Roman innovation. In fact, Piranesi would have been particularly aware of the importance of aqueducts in Ancient Rome, having studied under his uncle Matteo Lucchesi, an architect and hydraulic engineer in the Magistro delle Acque in Venice. Piranesi’s intricate compositions that depict the grandeur of the stonework – while capturing the height and scale of the aqueduct – reflect the monumental presence of the ruins of Ancient Rome.

Piranesi often employed a theatrical perspective in his works, drawing viewers into his dramatic compositions.. In Prima parte di Architetture e Prospettive, he says: “These speaking ruins have filled my spirit with images that accurate drawings…could never have succeeded in conveying.” With certain sections still in use, the modern-day Aqua Virgo remains a glorious part of Rome's history, and most notably remains a major water source for the famous Trevi Fountain. The Aqua Virgo’s legacy is intertwined with its’ cultural significance, reflecting a vision for a flourishing city. 

Inscription in Latin

1. Scenographia operis includentis Specum Aquae Virginis 2. Monumentum Claudy Caes. arcuum ductus eiusdem Aquae restitutoris 3. Capitula columbarium, quae monumentum sustinent, hodieque infra terram cum arcubus ductus remanent inter rudera. 4. Opus recentium aedificiorum aquaeductu nitens. 5. Lacus recens ac privatus. 6. Aquae pars ex Specu in Lacum derivata.

English Translation by Emilia Schmidt:

1. Scenography of the work including the Cave of the Acqua Virgo 2. Monument to Claudius Caesar led by the arches of the restorer of the same aqueduct 3. The capitals of the dovecote, which support the monument, remain today underground with the arches among the ruins. 4. The work of the modern buildings of the aqueduct. 5. A fresh and private lake. 6. Part of the water derived from the Cave into the Lake.

Amadasi, Maria Elisa, F. Carbotti, D. Gangale Risoleo, E. Iacopini, F. Pizzimenti, and I. Raimondo. “Aqua Virgo Tra Campagna e Città: Lo Sfruttamento Del Territorio e Delle Risorse Idriche.” In Landscape 3: Una Sintesi Di Elementi Diacronici: Uomo e Ambiente Nel Mondo Antico: Un Equilibrio Possibile?, 302–15. Archaeopress, 2023.

Frontinus, SJ. 1899. The Two Books on the Water Supply of the City of Rome of Sextus Julius Frontinus, translated by Clemens Herschel. Boston, Massachusetts.

Pinto, John A. The Trevi Fountain. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1986. October 20, 2024.

Taylor, Rabun. “A Citeriobe Ripa Aquae: Aqueduct River Crossings in the Ancient City of Rome.” Papers of the British School at Rome 63 (1995): 75–103.

Wilton-Ely, John. The Mind and Art of Giovanni Battista Piranesi. London: Thames and Hudson, 1978.