Giovanni Battista Mercati

Giovanni Battista Mercati (1591–1645) was an Italian painter and engraver, active in a Baroque style.

He was born in Borgo San Sepolcro, in Tuscany, but was also active in Rome.

He is best known from his engravings, many made after other artists including Pietro da Cortona, Annibale Carraci, and other masters.

[1] Among his engravings are: One interesting set of engravings are his depictions of some of the extant Ancient Roman ruins in Rome, collected in an edition of about fifty-two plates, titled Alcune vedute et prospettive di luoghi dishabitati di Roma (1629) with introduction by Salvatore Settis, engraved in the manner of Israel Silvestre.

The series is not a scientific depiction, but does capture some views at a time when kilns and sites were still actively dismantling the remains of ancient edifices.