The Prima Macchina for the Chinea of 1755: A Triumphal Bridge with Antiquities from Herculaneum
1755
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1755
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This etching shows a tall, fake bridge covered in Roman statues. It’s crowded with fake ruins and bright flags. The paper looks old but the details are crisp. The artist, Vasi, made this for a big party in Rome. It’s not a real bridge—just a stage prop for the event. Notice how the shadows make the fake ruins look real. You can see this print at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
