Il Prospetto Principale del Tempio e Piazza di S. Pietro in Vaticano

Location

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

This highly detailed architectural engraving shows a view of St Peter’s Square and the Basilica. The square, with its colonnade of Tuscan columns was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century. At its centre is an Egyptian obelisk erected in 1586, which is framed by two Baroque fountains designed by Bernini and Carlo Maderno. The piazza is populated by visitors and chains of horse-drawn carriages. In the background, the Basilica rises majestically dominating the square with its impressive dome and Maderno’s elegant façade.

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, St. Peter's Square, Rome

Subjects

carriage, topography, townscape/cityscape, hill, man, coat of arms, public square, house, basilica, church, dome, fountain

Materials & Techniques

engraving

Artist

Giuseppe Vasi (1710 - 1782)

Title

Il Prospetto Principale del Tempio e Piazza di S. Pietro in Vaticano

Date

published 1774

Medium

Engraving

Acquisition

Presented by Sir Victor Perowne

Provenance

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

GAC number

0/828