Location

Country: Holy See
City: Vatican City
Place: British Embassy

The interior of the Basilica, as shown by Vasi, illustrates a procession taking place in the central nave leading to Bernini’s baldacchino with Solomonic columns. Bernini’s baroque canopy which is placed above the high altar was intended to mark St Peter’s tomb underneath, and its twisted columns were commissioned by Pope Urban VIII, and were finalised in 1634. In depicting the interior, Vasi paid attention to all the architectural elements including the intricate decoration of the columns and the coffered ceiling.

Giuseppe Vasi was born in 1710 in Corleone, Sicily. He worked in Rome and was known for his Roman vedute (topographical views) which he made for the Grand Tourists. Among his most important works are his ten books entitled 'Magnificenze di Roma antica e moderna' published between 1746 and 1761. This publication contained etchings showing the monuments of Rome organised by subjects including gates, churches, palaces and villas. Vasi also produced a famous 'Prospetto dell’alma città di Roma', a panoramic view of the city. An architect himself, Vasi paid careful attention to all the details of the churches and the palaces he showed in his etchings.

Places

Italy, Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica, Rome

Subjects

statue (as Subject), topography, dog, man, woman, coat of arms, soldier, priest, clergyman, basilica, church, aisle, coffering, religious/ecclesiastical interior

Materials & Techniques

engraving

Artist

Giuseppe Vasi (1710 - 1782)

Title

L’Interno della Basilica Vaticana

Date

published 1775

Medium

Engraving

Acquisition

Presented by Sir Victor Perowne

Provenance

Presented by Sir Victor Perowne, Minister to the Holy See, c.1949-51

GAC number

0/823