Figures Watching a Display of Fireworks at Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome (recto); A Distant View of the Fireworks Seen from a Villa Garden (verso) 1606 - 1680

This pen drawing by Giovanni Francesco Grimaldi, dating from the 17th century, depicts a lively scene of people watching fireworks over the Tiber River in Rome. The drawing focuses on the Castel Sant'Angelo, a prominent landmark in the city, with the smoke from the fireworks rising above it. The artist captures the excitement of the event with his detailed depiction of the crowd gathered along the riverbank, as well as the boats passing below. This work is a testament to Grimaldi's skill as a draftsman, and is a valuable historical document of life in Rome during the Baroque period.