Plan and Elevation for the Major Altar of the Church of Santa Maria di Montesanto in the Piazza del Popolo

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

**Plan and Elevation for the Major Altar of the Church of Santa Maria di Montesanto in the Piazza del Popolo** Created by the Italian engraver and architect Mattia de Rossi (1637–1695) around 1662–1675, this print captures the intricate design for the major altar of Santa Maria di Montesanto, a Baroque gem in Rome's bustling Piazza del Popolo. De Rossi, a key figure in 17th-century Roman printmaking, specialized in architectural views and plans that preserved grand visions for posterity. As a detailed plan and elevation—showing both the floor layout and vertical structure—this work served as a vital blueprint during the church's construction in the late 1600s. In the heart of Baroque Rome, where dramatic architecture symbolized the Catholic Church's resurgence, such prints were essential tools for architects, patrons, and builders. They allowed designs by masters like Carlo Rainaldi, who led the church project, to be shared widely despite the era's construction challenges. De Rossi's precise lines highlight the altar's ornate features, evoking the period's emphasis on theatricality, curves, and illusionistic depth. Though the medium remains unidentified, its classification as a print underscores the era's innovative use of engraving to democratize elite architecture. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum through the generous gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt, this piece invites us to envision Rome's spiritual splendor frozen in time. (198 words)