Artwork

Prospetto della Chiesa del SS. Salvatore

Prospetto della Chiesa del SS. Salvatore, by Fabio Berardi, ink, 1742
Prospetto della Chiesa del SS. Salvatore, by Fabio Berardi, ink, 1742

Prospetto della Chiesa del SS. Salvatore is an ink print by the Baroque artist Fabio Berardi. It dates from 1742 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Fabio Berardi’s 1742 print presents a detailed front view of the Church of San Salvatore. Executed on laid paper through a combination of engraving and etching, the image captures the façade’s architectural composition, including its prominent dome, columned entrance, and surrounding landscape elements.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on the ecclesiastical building, flanked by an obelisk on the left and a stone wall on the right. Figures in period dress gather near a fountain at the foot of the steps, while trees and a few animals populate the foreground, suggesting everyday activity around the sacred site.

Technique & Style

Berardi employed fine incised lines for structural outlines and employed cross‑hatching to model stone and metal surfaces, creating a tactile sense of depth. The integration of engraving’s precise linear control with etching’s freer, atmospheric strokes reflects common 18th‑century printmaking practices aimed at enhancing realism.

History & Provenance

Created in 1742, the print is attributed to the Italian engraver Fabio Berardi, known for architectural views. The work survives on laid paper, a typical support for the period, and has been documented in collections focusing on 18th‑century Italian prints, though its exact ownership trail remains limited.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Fabio Berardi

Artist

Fabio Berardi

Fabio Berardi (1742–1742) was an artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.