The Prima Macchina for the Chinea of 1773: The Temple of Peace

Executed in etching, Vasi employs fine line work to render architectural details and the texture of crowd clothing. The contrast between the crisp outlines of the temporary structure and the softer, densely packed figures creates depth, emphasizing both the grandeur of the set and the human activity surrounding it.

Created for the 1773 Chinea—a diplomatic gift ceremony between the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples—the print documents the temporary “Temple of Peace” erected for the occasion. The inscription at the bottom, referencing “Pace” and “Temple,” identifies the work as a visual record of that specific event.

The Chinea tradition involved a ceremonial procession of a white horse and accompanying festivities in Rome, often accompanied by elaborate temporary architecture. Vasi’s depiction reflects the 18th‑century practice of commemorating such state occasions through detailed prints that circulated among the educated public.

As a rare visual source, the etching offers insight into the theatrical staging of public celebrations in late‑Baroque Rome. It also illustrates Vasi’s role as a documentarian of urban spectacles, contributing to the visual historiography of papal ceremonial culture.