Photograph by Ed Pollard, Hasselblad H4D50 - 2018.

The Main Front of the Temple and Square of St. Peter's in the Vatican (Il Prospetto principale del Tempio e Piazza di S. Pietro in Vaticano)

Artist Giuseppe Vasi (Italian, 1710 - 1782)

CultureItalian

Date1774

MediumEtching

Dimensions31 1/2 × 41 3/4 in. (80 × 106 cm)

Credit LineMuseum purchase

Object number2018.5

Not on view

DescriptionThis large 18th century etching composed from two folio sheets presents a bird’s eye view of the piazza and basilica of St. Peter’s in Rome as well as the surrounding landscape and buildings. Many small figures populate the space. This staffage includes pilgrims, clerics, beggars, well-dressed onlookers, and carriages.
Label TextGiuseppe Vasi Italian, 1710−1782 Il Prospetto principale del Tempio e Piazza di S. Pietro in Vaticano (The Main Front of the Temple and Square of St. Peter’s in the Vatican), 1774 Etching on two attached folio sheets Giuseppe Vasi’s architectural views are notable for the way in which they integrate buildings into the urban fabric of the city. In this print, he documents the structures surrounding the great church with a numbered list at the bottom of the dedication label. Vasi moved to Rome from Sicily in 1736 and quickly established himself as the leading printmaker in the city. He compiled popular volumes of views of the monuments of Rome for the many Grand Tourists who visited the city. He produced larger works, like this view of St. Peter's, for wealthier patrons. This work is dedicated to Henry Benedict Stuart, the Cardinal Duke of York, grandson of King James II and Catholic heir to the British throne. Vasi is credited with introducing Piranesi to the art of printmaking. By contrast, Piranesi’s prints are more theatrical and emotionally expressive. Museum purchase 2018.5 Exhibition History"Piranesi's Prisons: Legacy and Context," Chrysler Museum of Art, April 26 - September 2018.