Piazza di S. Pietro – Antique Hand-Colored View of St. Peter’s Square (c.1840)
€ 330
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1840
Mapmaker / artist
Anonymous Italian artist, Italy, c.1840
Technique
Hand-colored engraving
Sheet size
24 × 35 cm (9.4 × 13.8 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14169-2
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Very good condition. Image area clean with fresh, clear coloring. Only light foxing in the outer margins, not affecting the printed surface. No tears, repairs or creases. Plate mark clearly visible. Wide, attractive margins all around.
About this sheet
Piazza di S. Pietro – Antique Hand-Colored View of St. Peter’s Square (c.1840)
This elegant 19th-century hand-colored engraving presents a sweeping panoramic view of St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, capturing the grand colonnades designed by Bernini, the central obelisk, and the imposing façade and dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. The artist renders the vast geometry of the piazza with clarity and precision, emphasizing the harmonious architectural arrangement that has long made this space one of the most recognisable and celebrated landmarks in Rome.
The coloring is bright and delicately applied, enhancing the warm tones of the colonnades and the architectural details of the surrounding Vatican buildings. Small human figures animate the square, providing scale and context while preserving the quiet, contemplative atmosphere typical of early Grand Tour prints. Views of St. Peter’s Square from this period were prized by travelers for their elegance and accuracy, and well-preserved hand-colored impressions remain highly collectible today. With its wide margins and sharp impression, this example offers a strong decorative presence as well as historical interest.
Condition report: Very good condition. Image area clean with fresh, clear coloring. Only light foxing in the outer margins, not affecting the printed surface. No tears, repairs or creases. Plate mark clearly visible. Wide, attractive margins all around.
Framing tips: Excellent in an antique gold, walnut, or warm natural wood frame to echo the tones of the colonnades. A cream or pale ivory mat enhances the architectural forms and opens up the composition. For a contemporary look, a thin black frame with a bright white mat provides crisp contrast while maintaining the grandeur of the Vatican setting.
