Giovanni Battista Piranesi was born in Mogliano Veneto near Treviso then part of the Republic of Venice. He was apprenticed to a firm of architects and in 1740 moved to Rome to work as a draughtsman to Mario Foscarini. Later studied under Giuseppe Vasi the art of etching and engraving. He collaborated with pupils of the French Academy in Rome to produce a series of views of the city. From 1748-1774 he opened a workshop in Rome creating a series of views of the city many of which were published as collections in books as well as individual prints. In 1761 he became a member of the Accademia di San Luca and opened a printing facility of his own. In 1767 he was made a Knight of the Golden Spur enabling him to sign himself Cav.(aliere) Piranesi. Later editions of his etchings were authenticated with the blind-stamp of the Regia Calcografia Di Roma. Ref: Luigi Ficacci: Piranesi. The Complete Etchings. Tachen 2000.