Interior view of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, from "Vedute di Roma" (Roman Views) (ca. 1748, Met-Objekt 3927)
Original title: Interior view of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, from "Vedute di Roma" (Roman Views)
kurzbeschreibung
Giovanni Battista Piranesi's etching from the 'Vedute di Roma' series, made around 1748, carries the viewer into the interior of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Unlike many contemporary views of the same church, which favor the exterior facade, this print concentrates on the inner space. It is the third of six states according to Hind, executed as an etching. The sheet measures 52.5 x 72.5 cm, the plate 41 x 60.2 cm.
Description
The view is built on a central axis, with the eye drawn down the nave between tall arches and rows of columns. Frescoes and layered ornament cover the ceiling, making the Baroque decoration legible. Altar and pulpit sit at the vanishing point, where all lines converge. Small groups of figures are scattered across the floor and along the walls; through them the vastness of the space becomes apparent. Highlights on the architectural members deepen the sense of volume, while the monochrome scheme suits the etching medium.
Context
Piranesi's 'Vedute di Roma', a series of views of Roman buildings, began appearing in 1745. In those years Rome was a destination of the Grand Tour, and artists like Piranesi recorded the city's ancient and Baroque monuments. St. Peter's was regarded as the most important church of Christendom and attracted travelers and art lovers alike. In the present third state of the print, reworkings are visible, revealing both the artist's working method and the continuing demand for his prints.
Impact
The expanse of St. Peter's becomes palpable, carried by precise perspective and thin linework. Against the scale of the architecture, the people on the floor seem small, creating a balance of distance and reverence. Following the ornaments and frescoes in detail allows one to appreciate the Baroque splendor of the interior.
Technique
The print was made by etching, an intaglio process in which lines are bitten into a copper plate. Piranesi used both delicate and forceful strokes to define architectural members and shadow. It was printed on paper, with the plate measuring 41 x 60.2 cm. The third of six states is a reworked version.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)