Elevation, Chapel and Alter of San Lorenzo Basilica
Medium
architecture
Classification
architecture
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1931-94-629
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Behold the intricate *Elevation, Chapel and Altar of San Lorenzo Basilica* by Alessandro Specchi (1668–1792), a captivating architectural drawing from around 1660. This work presents a precise vertical view—or elevation—of the sacred chapel and altar within Rome's historic Basilica di San Lorenzo, of the city's oldest Christian churches. As an architectural rendering, it served as a vital tool for planning and visualization, allowing builders, patrons, and clergy to envision the grandeur of sacred spaces before construction. Specchi, a prominent Italian architect, contributed to Rome's rich B...