The Seconda Macchina for the Chinea of 1775: A Bull-fight

Executed as an etching, Vasi employed acid‑etched lines on a copper plate, complemented by drypoint and possibly aquatint to achieve richer tonal variations. The intricate detailing of the building’s ornamentation and the dynamic movement of the animals demonstrate the artist’s mastery of line work and his ability to render complex scenes within a single print.

Created in 1775, the print was part of a series documenting the annual Chinea—a diplomatic tribute from the Kingdom of Naples to the Pope—where elaborate machines (macchine) were displayed. Vasi, known for his vedute of Rome, produced this work to record the 1775 festivities, and it later entered collections of European print enthusiasts.

The Chinea ceremonies blended religious, political, and popular elements, serving as a public display of loyalty to the papacy. Bull‑fighting, a staple of Italian popular culture, was incorporated into the festivities, making the event a focal point for both elite spectators and the broader populace.

Vasi’s etching provides a valuable visual record of 18th‑century Roman public life, illustrating how civic rituals and entertainment intersected. Scholars cite the work for its detailed portrayal of urban architecture and for insight into the social dynamics of celebratory spectacles in pre‑modern Italy.