Italy - Rome; Pierre Aveline "il Vecchio" (Parigi

Spectacular and rare bird's-eye view of St. Peter's Basilica and the monumental colonnade designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The work offers an extraordinary glimpse into late 17th-century Roman life, animated in the square by elegant period carriages drawn by horses, prelates and pedestrians on foot. The rarity of the Bernini 'Third Arm' The engraving presents exceptional documentary and collecting value: in the lower part the central 'third arm' of the colonnade is clearly visible. This element was part of Bernini's original project to close the ovoid of the square, creating a wonderful 'awe' for the pilgrim, but it was never realized. Aveline chose to insert it based on the projects and architectural drawings circulating in European courts of the time. • Whole sheet printed on fine contemporary laid paper, with evident and fascinating editorial borders at the margins. • Imprint of the plate: clearly visible and marked along the entire perimeter of the composition. • General condition: Excellent state of preservation for a work over 330 years old. Slight and physiological signs of time (marginal antique browning or light foxing that do not affect the central figurative part). No invasive restoration or significant tear. Small tears and small Missing lower right corner See photo

Estimate:£0.84

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