VEDUTA GENERALE DELLA GRAN MOLE ADRIANA E PONTE ELIO – HADRIAN’S MAUSOLEUM AND THE AELIAN BRIDGE – ORIGINAL ETCHING WITH ENGRAVING BY LUIGI ROSSINI

Engraver: Luigi Rossini
Publisher: Negozio Scudellari & Rossini
Price: £450
Publication Date: 1823-1829
Format: Original etching with engraving
Condition: In near fine condition, unframed
Sheet Size: 66cm x 47.8cm

Condition:

Blank verso. Very minor age-toning but generally very clean with very good margins. Slight creasing to the upper margin. A strong impression. In near fine condition overall.

Description:

Luigi Rossini’s “Veduta Generale della Gran Mole Adriana e Ponte Elio” (General View of Hadrian’s Mausoleum and the Aelian Bridge) is a masterful engraving that captures two significant landmarks of ancient Rome: the Mausoleum of Hadrian, commonly known as Castel Sant’Angelo, and the Aelian Bridge, now called Ponte Sant’Angelo.

In this work, Rossini presents a wide view of the mausoleum and the bridge, which were originally commissioned by Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. The Mausoleum of Hadrian was built as a monumental tomb for the emperor and his family, and over time, it evolved into a fortress and later a papal residence. The Aelian Bridge was constructed to connect the mausoleum with the rest of the city across the Tiber River. In Rossini’s engraving, both structures are depicted in their majestic form, surrounded by the flowing river and the bustling life of the city.

Rossini’s style is evident in the careful attention to architectural detail. The Mausoleum of Hadrian, with its imposing cylindrical structure, dominates the scene, while the bridge’s elegant arches and statues are beautifully rendered. The engraving also reflects the Romantic interest in the juxtaposition of classical ruins with the surrounding natural landscape and contemporary city life.

In this piece, Rossini not only captures the grandeur of these historic structures but also conveys a sense of their historical importance and endurance. The balance between the man-made and natural elements in the scene is characteristic of his work, where the ruins of ancient Rome are presented as both timeless and integral to the city’s evolving identity.

“Veduta Generale della Gran Mole Adriana e Ponte Elio” is part of Rossini’s larger body of engravings that document the architectural wonders of Rome, preserving their legacy through highly detailed and evocative imagery.

Luigi Rossini: A Short Biography

Luigi Rossini (1790–1857) was an Italian engraver and architect, renowned for his detailed etchings of ancient Roman architecture and ruins. He is often compared to his predecessor, Giovanni Battista Piranesi, due to his ability to capture the grandeur and decay of classical architecture in Rome. Rossini’s works, primarily created in the first half of the 19th century, are celebrated for their technical skill, clarity, and the way they evoke a sense of nostalgia for the splendour of ancient Rome.

Born in Ravenna, Italy, Rossini studied architecture at the Academy of Bologna, where he developed his technical expertise and fascination with classical forms. His engravings typically depict famous Roman landmarks such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, and various triumphal arches. These works often feature dramatic compositions, highlighting the scale and majesty of the ruins juxtaposed against the natural landscape and human figures.

One of his most notable collections is Le Antichità Romane (The Roman Antiquities), published in 1829. This series of engravings illustrates various views of ancient Roman monuments and is regarded as a significant contribution to both art and archaeology.

While Rossini’s primary focus was on classical subjects, his work also reflects the Romantic era’s interest in the sublime, decay, and the passage of time. His engravings not only serve as historical records but also as artistic expressions of the beauty and fragility of the ancient world.

Location: Map Drawer C: FS: Folder 1211

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