La Villa Borghese

View taken from the monumental work of Felix Benoist Rome dans sa grandeur. Vues, monument ancient et modernes printed in Paris in 3 volumes, by Henri Charpentier, in 1870.

The publication, illustrated by 100 lithographs, was preceded by a campaign of preparatory drawings, from 1864 to 1869, executed mainly by Felix Benoist and partly by Philippe Benoist.

On the eve of the First Vatican Ecumenical Council, August 11, 1869, Pius IX decreed the creation of the Esposizione romana delle opere d’ogni arte eseguite per il culto cattolico (a Roman Exhibition of the works of art created for Catholic worship), which was inaugurated on February 17, 1870, in the cloister of the Charterhouse of Santa Maria degli Angeli. On that occasion, the three volumes in folio Rome dans sa grandeur were presented. The volumes, magnificently bound, with the coat of arms of Pius IX stamped in gold in the center, are divided into three sections. The first volume deals with ancient Rome, the second with “Christian” Rome, and the third with the monuments and achievements of modern Rome. A precious vision of papal Rome on the eve of the profound transformation of Rome into the capital of united Italy. A document that highlights the remarkable imprint left by Pius IX in the Eternal City.

The work represents the masterpiece of the French artist, where each view is made in tinted lithography, a process achieved by using a different number of stones. The result is a work of great effect, so much so as to place Benoist among the ranks of the greatest artists of interiors and views of his time.

Tinted lithograph, finely hand-colored, in excellent condition.