| Method | Etching |
| Artist | Giuseppe Vasi |
| Published | Giuseppe Vasi Conte Palatino e Cavaliere dell'Aula Lateranense, dal medesimo disegnato ed inciso l'anno 1774 / ...inciso in rame l'Anno del Giubbileo 1775. |
| Dimensions | 1st: Image 700 x 970 mm, Sheet 705 x 975 mm. 2nd: Image 685 x 955 mm, Sheet 710 x 980 mm |
| Notes |
A spectacular pair of large scale etchings of St Peter's Basilica, exterior and interior, designed and engraved by Giuseppe Vasi in celebration of the Jubilee of 1775 called by Pope Clement XIV the previous year. Both etchings, due to their size, were engraved and printed over two plates, with the sheets joined along a central vertical seam. The first, a magnificent sweeping general view of the Vatican Basilica, Pontifical Palace, and Bernini's Piazza San Pietro, is dedicated to Henry Benedict Stuart, Cardinal Duke of York, who at the time of the print's creation was recognized by the Roman Church as the rightful second in line to the British throne under the Jacobite claim. The view shows Bernini's collonade to full effect, even allowing the edges of it to be cut off by the border of the plate, increasing the sense of the vastness of the space. The obelisk and fountains dominate the piazza, and coaches and crowds fill the empty spaces between. Behind the Basilica, the hills of Lazio can be seen. In the centre of the inscription space, the Arms of Henry Stuart are blazoned, supported by a recumbent lion and unicorn and topped with a ducal crown and cardinal's hat. Thirteen numbered points on the scene correspond to labels along the bottom border of the plate. Full inscription below image reads: All' Altezza Reale Eminentissima di Errigo Benedetto Maria Vescovo di Frascati Cardinal Duca d'Yorck Vice-Cancelliere della S. Rom.na Chiesa, Sotto Decano del Sagro Collegio ed Arciprete della Sagrosanta Basilica Vaticana &c. &c. Il Prospetto principale del Tempio e Piazza di S. Pietro in Vaticano, e Palazzo Pontificio, Presenta, e Dedica L'Umilissimo Devotissimo Obbligatissimo Servo Giuseppe Vasi Conte Palatino e Cavaliere dell'Aula Lateranense, dal medesimo disegnato ed inciso l'anno 1774. Scalabroni 435 The second depicts a grand procession in the interior of the nave of St Peter's Basilica. In the very centre, Pope Pius VI can be seen seated below a tapestried baldachin, while Bernini's bronze baldachin is prominent behind. Pius VI had only recently been elected pope when the print was made, inheriting the Jubilee which had been convoked by his predecessor Clement XIV the previous year. His large and visually impressive entourage features representatives of all of the various colleges and orders of the Roman Church, as well as pilgrims and the general public, who kneel alongside the procession. Numbered points in the scene correspond to labels along the bottom border of the plate, describing the various architectural and spiritual aspects of the basilica. Full inscription below image reads: Alla Santita del Sommo Pontefice Papa Pio VI, Felicemente Regnante, L'Interno della Basilica Vaticana colla rappresentanza dell' Ordine, con cui l'Ecclesiastica Gerarchia de Cardinali, Arcivescovi, Vescovi, Prelati, ed altri Personaggi, processionalmente colla Santita Sua si porta per celebrare le Sagre Solenni Funzioni, prostrato a Suoi SS. Piedi Giuseppe Vasi Conte Palatino, e Cavaliere dell' Aula Lateranense, da se disegnato, ed inciso in rame l'Anno del Giubbileo 1775, umilmente Da Dona, e Dedica. Scalabroni 434 Condition: 1st: Trimmed to border. Professionally backed with archival tissue. Central vertical join, as issued. Minor losses to central join, now infilled. Minor time toning. 2nd: Trimmed within platemark. Central vertical join, as issued. Minor time toning to join and edges of sheet. Pressed secondary vertical folds. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £5,250.00 |
| Stock ID | 50848 |