Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps, Rome)
Print on paper, likely a color lithograph • Jan P. Huygens (signed lower right)
Style & Movement
Mid-century Modernist / Post-Impressionist illustrative style
Medium & Technique
Lithography with hand-applied or layered color; utilizes fluid draftsmanship and vibrant washes characteristic of mid-20th-century printmaking
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1950-1970)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 18 inches (image sight), Portrait format
Subject Description
A bustling view of the Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti) in Rome, featuring the Trinità dei Monti church and obelisk at the top, and the Fontana della Barcaccia in the foreground. Small figures and flower stalls add narrative movement to the urban landscape.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; slight yellowing of the paper consistent with age, visible toning at the mat edges
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $400 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250 USD
Provenance History
Limited edition (numbered 120/150 lower left); likely acquired through a commercial gallery or during European travel in the mid-to-late 20th century
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the mid-century fascination with the 'Grand Tour' of Italy, capturing iconic Roman landmarks with a stylized, accessible aesthetic common in European decorative arts of the period.
Notable Features
Pencil signature by the artist (bottom right) and hand-written edition numbering (bottom left); the style blends architectural accuracy with expressive, casi-fauvist color choices.
Condition Issues
Minor paper acidification (toning), slight fading of certain organic pigments, and potential adhesive residue from old mounting behind the mat.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional reframing using acid-free archival matting and UV-protective glass to prevent further darkening and photochemical degradation.