Luigi Rossini’s etching, “Avansi della Curia Ostilia Sul Monte Celio”, 1821

Luigi Rossini (1790–1857)

Note that British Museum advises that the figures were (possibly) added by Bartolomeo Pinelli (1781–1835) (see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG44271).

“Avansi della Curia Ostilia Sul Monte Celio”— remains of the Curia Hostilia (house for the Roman Senate built by Tullius Hostilius) on Monte Caelio, 1821, plate 89 from the series of 101 views of ancient Rome, “Le Antichità Romane” (The Rome of Antiquity), published in Rome in 1823.This impression is from the 1829 edition showing the plate number (“T. 89”).

Note that plate 39 shows a similar view towards the Curia Hostilia entrance; see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1935-0520-68. Regarding the Curia Hostilia, Grosvenor prints make the interesting proposal that the building “is more likely to be a substructure of the Temple of Claudius on the Caelian Hill. Through the gateway to the left is the Arch of Constantine” (see Ref: 51521: https://www.grosvenorprints.com/stock.php).

Etching on wove paper with wide margins as published.

Size: (sheet) 51 x 62.8 cm; (plate) 40.5 x 48.5 cm; (image borderline) 39.8 x 47.5 cm.

Inscribed in plate within the image borderline: (on tablet at lower right) “AVANSI DELLA/ CVRIA OSTILIA/ SVL MONTE CELIO”.

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (left) ROSSINI dis. e inc.”; (right) T. 89 Roma 1821”.

Condition: a richly inked and well-printed impression with generously wide margins. The margins are dusty with small chips to the edge (see the lower left corner and the middle of the upper margin), otherwise the sheet is in an excellent condition with no significant tears, holes, folds, stains or foxing.

I am selling this strong and large etching designed to capture the glory of ancient Rome for folk on their Grand Tour—note how Rossini (like Piranesi) gave a touch of theatricality to his depiction of buildings by using strong chiaroscuro lighting and by ensuring that any awestruck visitors were appropriately small—for a total cost of AU$480 (currently US$359.13/EUR308.24/GBP260.99 at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this spectacularly large and rare print—it is not in the collection of the British Museum or the Rijksmuseum—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold