Georg Balthasar Probst.

Theatre of Marcellus [&] Piazza Navona

16.5 x 13 inches

A charming and delightfully naïve pair of etchings in vibrant original colour, engraved by Probst and published in Augsburg circa 1770.

The panoramas and views of European cities done by Probst in the second half of the C18th have a charm and intimacy all of their own, so often lacking in other contemporary prints. There is an almost childlike nature to his composition and in these bustling vignettes of two of Rome's most beloved and ancient sites, we see a lively mixture of architectural detail and vibrant street life. The text is in Latin, French, Italian and German leaving us in no doubt that views such as these were destined for an international market. The colouring (for which people would have paid extra) is crudely but charmingly applied and implies that it is the work of children. The bizarre juxtaposition of reds and greens suggests that the print was intended to be viewed through a lens by means of a zograscope or viewfinder. The mirror writing at the top of the print also confirms that this is an optical view, more commonly known as a Vue d.Optique. The overall impression is immensely pleasing and gives us a fascinating perspective of both the Theatre of Marcellus and the Piazza Navona that can be easily recognised to this day.

£1250 Pair