Veduta dell'interno del Tempio di S. Stefano Rotondo (View of the Interior of the Temple of Saint Stephen Rotondo)
Print on paper • Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720–1778)
Style & Movement
Neoclassicism / Vedutismo (View Painting and Printing)
Medium & Technique
Etching and engraving on heavy laid paper
Creation Period
Original plate c. 1756; this impression likely 18th or 19th century
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 40 x 55 cm (plate size); Landscape format
Subject Description
A dramatic interior perspective of the Basilica of Santo Stefano al Monte Celio in Rome. The composition emphasizes the circular colonnade and the interplay of light and shadow (chiaroscuro) to evoke the grandeur and decay of classical Roman architecture, featuring small human figures to establish scale.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (visible age-related wear)
Estimated Market Value
$800 - $1,500 USD (depending on the specific state and edition)
Auction Estimate
$600 - $1,200 USD
Provenance History
Likely part of a collected volume of 'Le Antichità Romane' or a later 'Vedute di Roma' series; private collection history based on framing style.
Art Historical Significance
Piranesi was instrumental in shaping the European perception of Rome. This specific view highlights his transition from architectural documentation to the 'Sublime' romanticization of ruins, common in his 'Antichità' series.
Notable Features
Includes the engraved title 'Veduta dell'interno del Tempio di S. Stefano Rotondo' and the attribution 'Piranesi Architetto dis. e incise' at bottom right; plate numbering 'Fig. II' at bottom left.
Condition Issues
Visible horizontal crease/fold through the center, slight yellowing of the paper margin, and potential foxing spots in the sky area. Light reflection suggests it is under glass which may cause acid-burning if not archival.
Conservation Recommendations
Remounting with acid-free matting and UV-protective glass. Professional cleaning could stabilize the center crease and remove acidity from the support.