Where can I see The Prima Macchina for the Chinea of 1773: The Temple of Peace?

The Prima Macchina for the Chinea of 1773: The Temple of Peace is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Prima Macchina for the Chinea of 1773: The Temple of Peace?

The Prima Macchina for the Chinea of 1773: The Temple of Peace is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

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

The Prima Macchina for the Chinea of 1773: The Temple of Peace is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Giuseppe Vasi. It dates from 1773 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Statues stand on the roof, flags wave from poles, and a crowd gathers below, some carrying draped cloths.

This image shows a grand, temporary stage set up like a classical temple. Statues stand on the roof, flags wave from poles, and a crowd gathers below, some carrying draped cloths. The building has columns, arches, and sculpted figures in niches, all drawn in precise lines.

The scene looks like a celebration for a special event, possibly a religious or royal occasion. The text at the bottom hints it was made for a 1773 ceremony.

Next, check out the technique: etching.

Overview

The Prima Macchina for the Chinea of 1773: The Temple of Peace is an etching created by Giuseppe Vasi in 1773, depicting a grand, temporary classical temple structure.

Subject & Meaning

The etching illustrates a festive scene with a classical temple, statues, flags, and a gathered crowd, suggesting a significant ceremonial event, potentially of religious or royal nature, specifically for the 1773 Chinea ceremony.

Technique & Style

Executed in etching on laid paper, the work features precise lines, defined forms, and detailed architectural elements, characteristic of Vasi's meticulous style.

History & Provenance

Created in 1773 for the Chinea ceremony of that year, the etching's provenance details are not specified here, though its creation context is tied to this event.

Context

The Chinea ceremony, a traditional event, provided the context for this work, reflecting 18th-century Roman ceremonial culture and Vasi's role in documenting such events.

Legacy

As a documentary piece of a specific 1773 event, its legacy lies in preserving the visual and cultural essence of temporary architectural constructions for ceremonial purposes in 18th-century Rome.