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Forma Partis Templi Divi Petri [Exterior Section of Saint Peter's Basilica]

Italian 16th Century

1564

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Religious

Dominant colour

Forma Partis Templi Divi Petri [Exterior Section of Saint Peter's Basilica] is a 1564 ink by Italian 16th Century, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Italian 16th Century
When & what style?: 1564 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows Saint Peter’s Basilica as it was in 1564. The artist used fine lines to carve every column and dome. It looks almost like a blueprint, but full of life. This print wasn’t made by just one person. After Michelangelo’s death, a team of Italian engravers finished it. They worked from plans to capture the building’s bold shape. Take a closer look at the cross-hatching technique. See how shadows build depth in the columns? It’s a print you can find at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.