Prospetto d. alma città di Roma (...)

About this artwork

Deel van een panorama van de stad Rome, gezien vanaf de Janiculum heuvel. Verklarende lijst met nummers in ondermarge.

Art Historical Context

Giuseppe Vasi's *Prospetto d. alma città di Roma* (1765) captures a breathtaking panoramic view of Rome as seen from the Janiculum hill, one of the city's seven hills. This etching, measuring 336 × 444 mm, forms part of a larger series that meticulously documents the Eternal City's sprawling skyline, blending majestic domes, ancient ruins, and Baroque spires into a single, harmonious vista. The detailed lower margin features an explanatory key with numbered references, guiding viewers to identify landmarks like St. Peter's Basilica or the Tiber River— a practical touch that enhanced its appeal for 18th-century tourists. As a master etcher, Vasi exemplified the veduta tradition, a genre of topographical prints popular during the Grand Tour era, when affluent Europeans flocked to Italy for cultural enlightenment. Etching allowed Vasi to achieve intricate line work and tonal depth, rendering architectural precision with remarkable clarity. Produced amid Rome's neoclassical revival, this work not only preserved the city's evolving face but also served as an educational souvenir, bridging art and cartography. Today, it offers a window into pre-unification Rome's grandeur, reminding us how such prints fueled wanderlust and scholarly fascination with antiquity. A true gem for armchair explorers! (198 words)

About the Artist

Giuseppe Vasi · 1710–1782

Italian artist, engraver. Died Rome. Father of Mariano. Comment on works: Printmaker; Views