Alexandro Sept. P. M. Dicatum

Etching, 1663-1667 circa, lettered across top: ALEXANDRO [the N reversed] SEPT. P.M DICATUM; lower left: Joa Trost Noricus Prospectum Delineavit, lower centre: Opus Equitis/Ioannis Laurentii/Bernini/Cum Privileggio Summi Pontificis; lower right: Joannes Ronzonus Ornavit Sculpsit et Dicavit.

“Bernini's plan for remodelling the piazza in front of St Peter's included a short section of colonnade that closed the space, known as the terzo braccio (see the plan on 2047), clearly visible in the foreground of this print. In 1666, after the north and south colonnades had been completed, this structure was still to be built.  In February 1667, the demolition of the group of buildings which then filled the opening between the colonnade, the Palazzo del Priorato di Malta, came up for discussion. At that time Bernini presented his proposal for adding a clocktower to the terzo braccio, making it into a formal propylaeum (Kitao 1974, pp. 49-56), but this was not carried out. The elaborate cartouche on this print is inscribed with the name of the patron of the project, Pope Alexander VII, who died in 1667. Johann Trost from Nuremberg drew a plan and this perspective view in 1662 while he was in Rome (Fritz T. Schulz in AKL online). Nothing is known of the printmaker "Ronzonus", by whom another print, of a procession datable to around 1663, appears in the album Popish Ceremonies I (C.I.648)” (cf. McDonald, The Print Collection of Cassiano dal Pozzo, series C, part II – 1, n. 2058, p. 236)

A fine impression, printed on contemporary laid paper, trimmed to the platemark, perfect conditions. A very rare and import work.

Literature

F.W.H. Hollstein, German engravins, etchings and woodcuts, Roseendal v. XXXVI (1994), p. 8 n. 1; Piante e vedute della Basilica di S. Pietro in Vaticano, a cura di B. Jatta, Città del Vaticano 2006 (=Studi e documenti per la storia del Palazzo Apostolico Vaticano. Tavole, 2), tav. XI; McDonald, The Print Collection of Cassiano dal Pozzo, series C, part II – 1, n. 2058, p. 236.