Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Marriage of Annibale Altemps and Ortensia Borromeo, Rome, March 5, 1565

Art Historical Context

This engraving, created in 1565 by Etienne DuPér and published by Antonio Lafreri captures the lavish wedding ofibale Altemps Ortensia Borromeo in Rome. Part of the print series *Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae* (“Mirror of Roman Magnificence”), it portrays the festive procession unfolding in a grand courtyard filled with soldiers, mounted horsemen, and elegantly dressed onlookers. The large sheet format allowed viewers to appreciate the scale and pageantry of the event from afar. As an engraving, the work exemplifies the vital role of printmaking in 16th-century Europe. These reproducible images let people across the continent witness Roman ceremonies and architecture without traveling, turning fleeting spectacles into lasting records. DuPérac’s precise linework brings architectural details and lively crowds into sharp focus, blending documentary accuracy with a sense of theatrical drama. Today the print offers modern visitors a vivid window into Renaissance Rome’s social world, where noble alliances were celebrated with public splendor. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, it remains a treasured example of how art and history intersect on paper.

About the Artist

Etienne DuPérac|Antonio Lafreri · 1535–1604

Comment on works: architect; painter