Venduta dell'insigne Basilica Vaticana coll'ampio Portico 1775

Giovanni Battista Piranesi made this print of the Vatican Basilica and Piazza in 18th century Italy, using etching and engraving techniques. This was a time when the Catholic Church exerted considerable social and political power. Piranesi’s choice of perspective, looking out from within the piazza, emphasizes the vastness of the space and the imposing scale of the Basilica. The orderly lines of the architecture contrast with the small, scattered figures, highlighting the dominance of the institution over the individual. The print's title translates to “View of the distinguished Vatican Basilica with the ample Portico, and adjacent Piazza,” which is a grand depiction of the seat of Catholic power. Prints like these were often bought as souvenirs by wealthy tourists on the Grand Tour, reinforcing the Basilica’s status as a site of cultural and religious importance. Art historians study these prints to understand how institutions, like the Catholic Church, use art and architecture to shape public perception and assert their authority. Further study of Papal history, the economy of the Grand Tour, and Piranesi’s biography could offer a greater understanding of this work.