Italy - Rome/ Castel Sant’Angelo// St. Peter; Nicolas-Jean-Baptiste de Poilly - Le Pont S.t Ange a Rome (con titolo speculare in alto per visore ottico: LE PONT S.T ANGE A ROME). - 1751-1760

The engraving offers a suggestive overall view of the banks of the Tiber in the heart of Rome. On the left, in the foreground, the monumental Castel Sant’Angelo dominates the scene with detailed architectural elements and large red banners blown by the wind. The bridge, which the caption recalls as formerly being called Pontius, connects the two riverbanks, showing the passage of a luxurious carriage and of travelers. In the background the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica rises clearly and majestically. In the foreground on the water, an elegant covered craft (a felucca or state barge) adds a touch of everyday life to the overall composition. Along the lower edge, an extensive and elegant inscription in French describes the legendary origin of the bridge’s name (linked to the appearance of the Angel during the plague) and recalls that the castle stands on the remains of Emperor Hadrian’s burial site.

Very good. The watercolor colors maintain an extraordinary freshness and saturation (the reds and blues are particularly vivid). The sheet preserves the original wide white margins, clean and free of invasive trimming. There are slight and natural signs of aging along the outer edges (small foxing and very slight peripheral yellowing).