Bilder Giovanni Maria Cassini (1745–1824) – View of the Porta San Giovanni (Veduta della Porta S. Giovanni) – Copperplate engraving (18th Century)

Beskrivning

This topographical engraving depicts the Porta San Giovanni, one of the grand gates in the Aurelian Walls of Rome. The print illustrates the gate's majestic, rusticated stone archway, which was commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII and completed in 1574 by Giacomo del Duca. The artwork captures the massive brickwork of the ancient city walls, shown with overgrowing vegetation, and the square defensive tower that stands adjacent to the portal. In the foreground, various figures in 18th-century attire are scattered across the unpaved approach, including a traveler with a horse and dog, emphasizing the gate's function as a primary entry point into the city.

Giovanni Maria Cassini was a prominent Italian engraver, cartographer, and Somascan priest active in Rome. While widely celebrated for his monumental Nuovo Atlante Geografico Universale, he was also a master of the veduta tradition, producing detailed architectural and topographical views of the Eternal City. His engravings are noted for their technical clarity and historical accuracy, serving as essential visual records of Roman monuments during the Enlightenment. Cassini’s work captured the transition of Rome from a papal capital to a destination for Grand Tourists, documenting both the grand classical ruins and the everyday life that surrounded them.

Artist or Maker: Giovanni Maria Cassini

Dimensions: Approximately 35 cm x 25 cm

Medium: Copperplate engraving

Date: 18th Century

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.