Via dei Penitenzieri (from the 'Roma Sparita' series)
Print/Reproduction on paper • Ettore Roesler Franz (1845–1907)
Style & Movement
Realism / Vedutismo (Topographical urban landscape)
Medium & Technique
Photomechanical reproduction, likely an offset lithograph or heliogravure based on a watercolor original; features a monochromatic blue/cyan tint.
Creation Period
Original watercolor late 19th century (c. 1880-1895); this reproduction likely mid-to-late 20th century.
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 30 x 40 cm (image size); landscape format.
Subject Description
A street scene in Rome depicting the Via dei Penitenzieri featuring the Santo Spirito in Sassia bell tower. The composition shows daily life with market stalls, figures in traditional dress, and laundry hanging from buildings, capturing the 'lost Rome' before modern urban renewal.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Fair. The print itself appears stable, but there is significant distraction due to glass reflections in the photograph.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $100 USD
Provenance History
The inscription 'Roma, Museo di Roma' indicates this is a reproduction of a work held in the permanent collection of the Museo di Roma (Palazzo Braschi). Likely purchased as a museum commemorative print or through a commercial publisher of Roman views.
Art Historical Significance
Ettore Roesler Franz is the most famous chronicler of late 19th-century Rome. His 'Roma Sparita' (Vanished Rome) series of 120 watercolors is a vital historical record of the city's architectural transformation after it became the capital of Italy in 1870.
Notable Features
Includes printed titles 'VIA DEI PENITENZIERI' and 'Immagini di Roma sparita' along the bottom margin, along with the credit to the Museo di Roma.
Condition Issues
Visible light fading or a deliberate monochromatic tint; potential acid migration from the mat board given the age of the framing; slight rippling of the paper at the edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Recommend re-framing with acid-free archival matting and UV-protective glass to prevent further fading. Keep away from direct sunlight.