Descrizione

(Rome) VASI, GIUSEPPE – A beautiful complete set of his four large views of Rome: 1) “Le rovine delle antiche magnificenze di Roma che si veggono nel Campo Vaccino … 1765”; 2) “Il prospetto della citta Leonina, che si vede colla Basilica Vaticana, Ponte e Castel S. Angelo … 1765”; 3) “Veduta della Basilica di S. Maria Maggiore dalla parte verso le quattro fontane … 1771″; 4) “Veduta della Basilica di S. Paolo fuori delle mura ed adiacenze dal Monte Aventino, e dal fiume Tevere … 1771”

Giant folio, etching and engraving, each view on 3 copperplates, dim. 1050×733 mm. (paper sheet), and 995×672 mm. (engr.). Each view with a large cartouche at bottom, bearing a coat of arms and the captions of the places depicted, and Vasi’s signature, with the date at lower right. Some repairs here and there at verso of the plates, but plates generally in strong and bright impression (Campo Vaccino’ a bit less dark than the others).

As said above, Giuseppe Vasi devoted his life in particular to creating views of the eternal city of Rome, and between 1747 and 1761 he published a ten-volumes set (see previous item) with 240 prints of Roman monuments, thus creating a detailed overview of the city of Rome in the mid-18th century. Vasi finally set a highlight (with the approx. dimens. of 102.5 x 261.5 cm.) in 1765, depicting a large Rome bird-eye view panorama, which has the title “Prospetto del Alma Cittá di Roma visto dal Monte Gianicolo”. It shows the city of Rome seen from the Gianicolo hill. The view was then accompanied by two large etchings, which had the same height, so that they could complete the wall decoration of the large panorama, which are items 1) and 2) offered here. These two engravings “Campo Vaccino” and “La Città Leonina” were followed in 1771 by “La veduta della Basilica di S. Maria Maggiore” and “La veduta della Basilica di S. Paolo fuori delle Mura” (items 3-4 here) so to complete an ideal set of the bird-eye views of Rome, looking in any direction.
Thieme-B. XXXIV, 130.