A grand 19th-century interior view of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
The engraving masterfully captures the majestic central nave of the basilica. It emphasizes the sweeping perspective of its endless rows of classical Ionic columns and the highly ornate, flat coffered ceiling (which, historically, was gilded with the first gold brought from the Americas). At the far end, the papal altar canopy (baldacchino) is visible. The vast space is populated with “staffage” figures—including praying peasants, strolling clerics, and elegantly dressed travelers—which perfectly illustrate the immense architectural scale of the building.
Roman basilicas; Renaissance and Baroque interiors; Grand Tour architectural souvenirs; Papal monuments.
Published by Giuseppe Antonelli, this piece is a quintessential example of high-end Grand Tour memorabilia. It provided wealthy 19th-century European travelers with a highly precise, enduring visual record of one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas.
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Direct history of the collection’s origin.
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