Obelisco a S. Maria Maggiore

Reference: S48610
Author Giovanni MAGGI
Year: 1600 ca.
Zone: Santa Maria Maggiore
Printed: Rome
Measures: 152 x 215 mm
€100.00

Reference: S48610
Author Giovanni MAGGI
Year: 1600 ca.
Zone: Santa Maria Maggiore
Printed: Rome
Measures: 152 x 215 mm
€100.00

Description

Plate from the Nova Racolta degl’Obelischi et Colonne Antiche, della Alma Citta di Roma, con le sue Dichiaratione date in Luce da G. G. Rossi printed in Rome about 1651.

Rare edition, enlarged, of an undated series of 17 plates depicting the obelisks and ancient columns of Rome; each engraving is supplemented by a descriptive caption and most with a scale or height indication. This very focused collection, probably inspired during the pontificate of Innocent X (Camillo Pamphili, reigned 1644-55), was implemented with a plate by Louis Rouhier showing the Pamphili obelisk atop Bernini's Quattro Fiumi fountain in Piazza Navona.

The use of ancient obelisks as the centerpiece of the remarkable transformation of Rome's architecture during the Baroque period has been well documented by architectural historians. Beginning in the last decades of the 16th century, in a grandiose effort to demonstrate the new dynamic spirit of the Counter-Reformation, Sixtus V [reigned 1585-90] moved the Vatican Obelisk to St. Peter's Square and rebuilt those now located in Piazza del Popolo, Piazza dell'Esquilino, and in front of the Lateran. His example was followed by many of his successors during the 17th century.

Etching in excellent condition.

Giovanni MAGGI (1566-1618)

Painter and etcher. Active in Rome. He appears in 1605 in the Libro del Camerlengo of the Compagnia di S.Luca, Rome, in a list of those who have contributed ‘per lemosina dela candela’. He applied for admission to the Virtuosi del Pantheon, 9 January 1611. 1609 entered into a working agreement with Giovanni Orlandi at the Pasquino-engraved various churches for him.Plates listed in the Vaccari stocklist of 1614. Important as an etcher of landscape.Also antiquities,including series:Libro di tutte le guglie,1600,and the ornamenti delle fabbriche antiche e moderne dell’alma città di Rome,1600. Map of Rome, 1603. 1604 Bichierografia, commissioned from him c.1600 by Cardinale Del Monte.

Giovanni MAGGI (1566-1618)

Painter and etcher. Active in Rome. He appears in 1605 in the Libro del Camerlengo of the Compagnia di S.Luca, Rome, in a list of those who have contributed ‘per lemosina dela candela’. He applied for admission to the Virtuosi del Pantheon, 9 January 1611. 1609 entered into a working agreement with Giovanni Orlandi at the Pasquino-engraved various churches for him.Plates listed in the Vaccari stocklist of 1614. Important as an etcher of landscape.Also antiquities,including series:Libro di tutte le guglie,1600,and the ornamenti delle fabbriche antiche e moderne dell’alma città di Rome,1600. Map of Rome, 1603. 1604 Bichierografia, commissioned from him c.1600 by Cardinale Del Monte.