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Areae et Palatii Pontificii Vaticani Topographia [A Papal Blessing in Saint Peter Square]

Étienne Dupérac

1567

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Religious

Dominant colour

Areae et Palatii Pontificii Vaticani Topographia [A Papal Blessing in Saint Peter Square] is a 1567 ink by Étienne Dupérac, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Étienne Dupérac
When & what style?: 1567 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This black-and-white print shows a busy square packed with people. At the center stands a big church with tall columns and a dome. Crowds fill the steps, some walking, some watching. A few horses and carriages are mixed in with the crowd. The artist drew this scene to show a papal blessing—lots of people gathered to see the pope. The small details, like the coats and hats, make it feel real. Want to know more? Look up etching to see how artists like this made prints.