Other Prints · 19th century
€ 110
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
The print is in good condition, with vivid hand-coloring, minimal discoloration, slight edge wear but no visible major tears or stains. Perfect for display purposes. Please study the image carefully.
Elegance of Authority: Handcolored Print of a Senator and Pages, Plate 25, 1862
This striking handcolored lithograph, Elegance of Authority, is Plate 25 from the 1862 second edition of Album ou Collection Complète, et Historique des Costumes de la Cour de Rome. Illustrated by G. Perugini, it depicts a senator, adorned in the ceremonial attire of his office, accompanied by pages in matching opulent uniforms. The vivid colors and intricate details capture the grandeur and formality of Rome's ecclesiastical and civic traditions.
The senator wears a rich red robe trimmed with gold and white, signifying his esteemed status and authority within the ecclesiastical or civic hierarchy of the Papal Court. His young pages, dressed in coordinating yellow and red outfits with feathered caps, symbolize the tradition of service and loyalty. Their role was to assist the senator during formal occasions, showcasing the structured and hierarchical nature of the Roman court.
The costumes depicted reflect the splendor and formality of 17th and 18th-century Roman traditions. While such attire has largely disappeared from modern use, it remains a fascinating testament to the history of ceremonial dress in the Catholic Church and the Papal States.
This lithograph is a vibrant piece of history, offering collectors a window into the elaborate rituals and sartorial splendor of Rome’s past. Its attention to detail and vivid coloring make it a standout addition to any collection of antique prints or historical costume studies.
Introduction Text Translation:
A powerful interest is attached to the name of Rome, an interest even greater in the name of Christ. Rome, through its genius, the vast intelligence of its warriors, orators, and legislators, prepared the cradle where Catholicism was born, grew, developed, and established itself. The history of Catholicism is the history of this great and glorious city among all others.
Virgil said in a truly prophetic verse: “To rule peoples, Roman, remember.” This prophecy received the most glorious, complete developments: all conspired for the glory of the eternal city—its history, its arts, monuments, and the religion from which everything starts and to which everything returns. Yet, no other city in the universe contains such a collection: from the monuments of Augustus' time to those of Sixtus V and Leo XII; from pagan temples to saints’ tombs and martyrs, all illustrate daily the majesty of Catholicism in its splendor.
It was natural to offer the public the tableau of the splendid costumes of the Pontiffs and great dignitaries, as well as those of the humble garments of religious congregations. This is what we retrace in this Album. Amid the religious costumes, we have also included military corps contributing to the harmony of ceremonies. These figures, drawn by the skilled artist G. Perugini, are accompanied by explanatory texts derived from the works of the learned Father Hélyot.
Table of Costumes in English (selected for relevance):
- The Pope in Grand Ceremony
- Cardinal in Choir Attire
- Bishop in Pontifical Costume
- Franciscan
- Capuchin Friar
- Jesuit
- Reformed Redemptorist
- Sister of Redemption (Plate 76)
- Religious Sister of Perpetual Adoration (Plate 77)
- Benedictine (Plate 78)
- Zocolette (Plate 79)
- Lateran Canoness (Plate 80)
- Senator and Pages (Plate 25)
This lithograph offers a captivating glimpse into the pageantry and historical significance of ceremonial attire, making it a fascinating piece for collectors of antique prints and costume history.
