Castrum S. Angeli - G. Lauro 1615

📜 Description
Original engraved view depicting Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome, published by Giovanni Lauro in 1615 as part of the celebrated collection Antiquae Urbis Splendor. The image represents one of the most renowned monuments of the city of Rome according to a compositional scheme consistent with early seventeenth-century topographical and antiquarian production. The scene focuses on the monumental structure of Castel Sant’Angelo, rendered as a fortified architectural complex surrounded by defensive walls, bridges, and the urban landscape beyond. The composition is animated by celebratory fireworks and luminous effects rising above the fortress, emphasizing the symbolic and ceremonial role of the monument within the papal city. The engraved inscription “Castrum S. Angeli” identifies the subject, while the extensive Latin text in the lower margin provides historical and descriptive references connected to the monument and its function within the urban fabric of Rome. The engraved line, precise and orderly, balances documentary purpose with theatrical representation, reflecting the visual culture of Baroque Rome and the enduring fascination with its monumental architecture. The period hand-coloring, clearly visible throughout the composition, enhances both the architectural details and the scenic impact of the engraving.

📚 Historical-Artistic Note
Giovanni Lauro was active among the Roman engravers and publishers of the early seventeenth century, specializing in topographical and antiquarian imagery connected to the city of Rome. This engraving belongs to Antiquae Urbis Splendor, a celebrated illustrated collection conceived to document and celebrate the monuments, ruins, and principal sites of the Eternal City through descriptive and visually engaging plates. Works of this type, intended for scholars, travelers, and collectors, testify to the growing European interest in Rome’s architectural and historical heritage during the Baroque period.

🧾 Technical Details
Title: Castrum S. Angeli
Type: Antique view / original engraving
Author / Cartographer / Maker: Giovanni Lauro
Designer / Engraver: Giovanni Lauro
Publisher / Printer: Mascardi
Place: Rome
Period: 1615
Material: Paper
Technique: Etching
Coloring: Period hand-coloring
Edition / Print Run: From Antiquae Urbis Splendor
Dimensions: sheet 23.5 × 32 cm; engraving 17.5 × 23 cm

🔍 Condition Report
Sheet in very good overall condition. Light water staining visible along the lower margin. Engraved surface well impressed and fully legible. Period hand-coloring well preserved. Verso with printed text in French, German, and Italian.