Beschreibung:

After Giuseppe VASI Delle magnificenze di Roma antica e moderna . Rome: Chracas and Barbiellini, 1747-61. Original copperplates, 67 from the full set of ca. 203 copperplates used, each 212 x 327mm. Giuseppe Vasi painter, engraver, designer, architect and archaeologist, was born at Corleone in Sicily, 28 August 1710, and died in Rome, 16 April 1782. After practising as a painter in his native Sicily, he came to Rome and was pupil to Sébastien Conca, P. L. Ghezzi and Juvara. His reputation as an engraver became such that he was able to number Ferdinand and Charles III, of Naples, and Pope Benedict XIV among his patrons. His most famous pupil was Piranesi. Delle magnificenze di Roma is Vasi's major work and, according to Olschki Choix 18186, one of the most remarkable works on Rome from an artistic and topographical viewpoint. The 200 plus engravings were published in 10 volumes between 1747 and 1761; though Olschki, Berlin Kat. 1880 and Cicognara 3897 do not record any issue points, the plates were re-printed and such was Vasi's drive for artistic perfection that details on the plates were subject to change over the period of production. It has yet to be established whether or not the present copperplates form part of the the first set made, or a later one. While the first volume of the work was written by Giuseppe Bianchini, and the second by an unknown contributor, Vasi himself wrote the text of the remaining volumes as well as producing his astonishing series of views. These original copperplates undoubtedly bring us even closer to the master than the engravings themselves can possibly do. See illustration above and on catalogue cover . (67)