Il Prospetto Principale del Tempio e Piazza di S. Pietro… / La Veduta di Fianco destro della Basilica Vaticana con l'Ordin

Wonderful set, complete, of the three large views of St. Peter's Church (1090 x 745 mm each) by Giuseppe Vasi.

Examples printed on contemporary laid paper, with margins, occasional light oxidation, overall in excellent condition. The works were made at different dates, from 1774 to 1778. With the exception of the first plate, they document different moments of papal ceremonies.

I plate

Title in lower margin: Il prospetto principale del tempio e piazza S. Pietro in Vaticano, e palazzo pontificio presenta, e dedica l'umilissimo devotissimo obbligatissimo servo Giuseppe Vasi conte palatino e cavaliere dell'aula lateranense, dal medesimo disegnato ed inciso l'anno 1774.

Dedication in the lower margin: All'altezza reale eminentissima di Errigo Benedetto Maria Vescovo di Frascati.

A bird eye's view shows the Basilica Vaticana, the Piazza San Pietro, and the Palazzo Vaticano, with a detailed rendering of Bernini's colonnade, as well as the surrounding landscape and buildings. Many small figures populate the space. This staffage includes pilgrims, clerics, beggars, well-dressed onlookers, and carriages.

Etching, 1774, printed from two plates on two sheets joined down the centre, in excellent condition.

This work is dedicated to Henry Benedict Stuart, the Cardinal Duke of York, grandson of King James II and Catholic heir to the British throne. 

Reference: Scalabroni 435

II plate

Dedication and title in lower margin: 

Alla Santità del Sommo Pontefice Papa PIO VI. Felicemente Regnante

L'interno della basilica vaticana colla rappresentanza dell'ordine, con cui l'ecclesiastica gerarchia de' cardinali, arcivescovi, vescovi, prelati, ed altri personaggi, processionalmente colla Santità Sua si porta per celebrare le sagre solenni funzioni;/ prostrato à Suoi Ss. piedi Giuseppe Vasi conte palatino, e cavaliere dell'aula lateranense, da se disegnato, ed inciso in rame l'anno del giubileo 1775, umilmente da, dona, e dedica.

Designed and etched during the jubilee year of 1775, the print shows an interior view of St. Peter's in which Pope Pius VI, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, prelates, and other dignitaries proceed down the nave in performance of solemn functions; Kneeling viewers look toward the pope, who is seated on a sedan chair below a baldachin or canopy, flanked by officers holding flabella. The architecture of the nave is rendered in detail, with captions listing the tombs, sculptures, tabernacles, chapels, and pictorial decorations.

Etching, 1775, printed from two plates on two sheets joined down the centre, in excellent condition.

Reference: Scalabroni 434

III plate

Dedication and title in lower margin: All'Eminentissimo e Reverendissimo Principe Il Cardinal Leonardo Antonelli del Titolo di S. Sabbina

La Veduta del Fianco destro della Basilica Vaticana con l'Ordinanza della Solenne Cavalcata del Som.o Pontefice de se disegnata e medesimamente incisa in rame l'anno 1778.

The print shows the departure from St. Peter's in Rome of a cavalcade accompanying Pope Pius VI. It features a prominent view of the south side of the basilica.

Etching, 1778, printed from two plates on two sheets joined down the centre, in excellent condition.