Italy - Rome // Roman Forum; Gaetano Cottafavi (Correggio

The work offers a spectacular overall view of a portion of the Roman Forum (at the time partially buried and known as Campo Vaccino), reproduced with extreme scientific-archaeological accuracy: 1. The Temple of the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux): In the foreground on the right stand the majestic three surviving Corinthian columns with the imposing fragment of the entablature [2c0s4I]. The engraver inserts a detail of great historical realism: the suspended wooden scaffolding and the workers at work on the capital, faithful testimony to the famous restorations and consolidation excavations of the nineteenth century. The Arch of Septimius Severus: In the background, on the left side, the monumental triumphal arch with three arches dominates the scene, erected in 203 A.D. The Church of Saints Luke and Martina: Just behind the Arch of Septimius Severus rises the elegant Baroque dome and the church façade designed by Pietro da Cortona in the seventeenth century. The Temple of Saturn: In the lower right one recognizes the splendid Ionic colonnade surviving (eight columns) of the temple’s podium dedicated to Saturn. The Column of Phocas and the Arch of Titus: In the center of the Forum valley stands the isolated Column of Phocas. The engraving is in excellent condition. The inking is well defined, with a beautiful chiaroscuro contrast typical of Cottafavi’s style, influenced by Piranesi’s vedutismo. The paper is clean, with a light and uniform patina.

Estimate:£0.83

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