Religion · 19th century
€ 220
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Very good condition with strong colors and minor age-related toning near the edges. No tears or stains. A well-preserved impression on thick paper with wide margins.
Pope Pius VII Giving His Benediction from St Peter’s Balcony, 1819
This striking hand-colored engraving captures a ceremonious moment from early 19th-century papal life: "Pope Pius VII Giving His Benediction from the Balcony of St Peter’s at Rome, 4th April 1819." It illustrates the Pope standing before a dramatic crimson backdrop, framed by two grand white ostrich-feather fans (flabella) and attended by cardinals and Swiss guards. Clad in ornate pontifical vestments and the papal tiara, Pius VII raises his hand in benediction, embodying both spiritual authority and pageantry.
The print is an evocative representation of Catholic ritual and its intersection with theatrical presentation. Pope Pius VII, born Barnaba Niccolò Maria Luigi Chiaramonti, served as pontiff from 1800 to 1823 during a turbulent era shaped by Napoleon's conquests and the reshaping of European power. Despite multiple exiles and political conflicts, he maintained the dignity of the Holy See, and this scene underscores his restored public presence following Napoleonic upheavals.
This engraving was executed by the artist and engraver Robert Cruikshank, known for his lively depictions of political and cultural life in the Regency and early Victorian periods. Published in London in 1819 by William Sams, bookseller to the Royal Household, this print formed part of a larger work intended to document and present the ceremonies, costumes, and characters of European courts and churches to an English audience.
The engraving is notable for its use of color, particularly the vivid pink curtain draped from the balustrade, which complements the gold accents of the Pope’s garments. The fine detailing in the ecclesiastical robes and the lively expressions of the attendants make this a compelling and highly decorative piece.
Condition report:
Very good condition with strong colors and minor age-related toning near the edges. No tears or stains. A well-preserved impression on thick paper with wide margins.
Framing tips:
Frame with a gold or dark wood molding and a soft white or ivory mat. Highlight the regal tones with deep crimson or burgundy wall colors for a museum-quality presentation. Ideal for classical or ecclesiastical interiors.
