Philippe Benoist

Basilica di San Paolo, Rome, Italy. Tinted lithograph, Philippe Benoist

1870

'Chiesa di St Maria-Sopra-Minerva. Veduta delle braccia di Croce' Santa Maria sopra Minerva is one of the major churches of the Roman Catholic Order of Preachers (better known as t...

'Piazza e Basilica de Santi Apostoli. Palazzi Odescalchi e Colonna' Tinted lithograph by Philippe Benoist (1813-1881). From a French series titled 'Rome dans Sa Grandeur', circa 18...

'Basilica di Santa Croce-in-Gerusalemme, ed avanzi del Tempio detto di Venere e Cupido' Tinted lithograph by Eugene Cicero after Felix Benoist (1813-1881...

'Cappella Sistina in Vaticano. Un giorno di Festa' Tinted lithograph by Philippe Benoist (1813-1881). From a French series titled 'Rome dans Sa Gr...

Title: Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura Interior, Rome – Benoist 1869 Lithograph Description: This impressive 19th-century lithograph depicts the interior of the Basilica of Sa...

Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Rome – Benoist 1869 Lithograph This finely composed 19th-century lithograph depicts the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, one of Rome’s most historically significant pilgrimage churches. Created by Félix Benoist after Bayot and published in Paris in 1869, the print forms part of the celebrated series Rome dans sa Grandeur, an ambitious publication dedicated to portraying Rome as a continuous architectural and historical landscape. NOTE: This original antique lithograph is offered unframed, allowing the buyer full freedom of framing choice. The composition presents the basilica’s monumental Baroque façade framed by trees and an open foreground landscape, offering a quieter and more contemplative view compared to Rome’s bustling central piazzas. The church rises prominently at the center, crowned with sculptural ornamentation and a clock tower that anchors the skyline. To the left, remnants of ancient ruins evoke the layered history of the site, traditionally associated with imperial Roman structures and early Christian transformation. Figures scattered across the foreground animate the scene—families strolling, visitors pausing, and children at play—introducing a gentle sense of everyday life. This human presence, characteristic of Benoist’s work, connects the grandeur of sacred architecture with the lived experience of 19th-century Rome. The carefully balanced perspective and natural framing elements create a harmonious dialogue between architecture and landscape. Benoist’s lithographic technique demonstrates exceptional control of tone and detail. Fine line work defines architectural elements with clarity, while soft atmospheric shading lends depth to the sky and surrounding terrain. The image reflects the 19th-century Grand Tour fascination with Rome’s lesser-known yet deeply historic sites, presenting Santa Croce in Gerusalemme as both a spiritual destination and a picturesque architectural monument. The lithograph’s calm composition and balanced tonal palette make it especially suitable for interior display, appealing to collectors of ecclesiastical architecture, Roman views, and refined historical prints. It works beautifully in libraries, studies, or contemporary interiors seeking classical character and historical resonance. Condition report: Good antique condition overall. Light age-related toning and scattered foxing, mainly confined to the margins. Image remains clear and well-defined. No significant tears or restorations observed. Framing tips: A wide ivory or warm cream mat enhances the open composition and highlights architectural detail. Frames in dark walnut, ebonized wood, or antique gilt complement the classical subject. Museum glass is recommended for long-term preservation and clarity. Technique: Lithograph Maker: Félix Benoist after Bayot, Paris, 1869 SEO keyword block: Santa Croce in Gerusalemme lithograph, Rome dans sa Grandeur print, Félix Benoist Rome, Basilica Santa Croce Rome, 19th century Rome church view, antique Rome architecture print...

Interior of Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome – Benoist 1869 Lithograph Description: This finely executed 19th-century lithograph depicts the interior of the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome, one of the city’s most historically significant Renaissance churches. Created by Félix Benoist after Bayot and published in Paris in 1869, the print belongs to the celebrated series Rome dans sa Grandeur, an ambitious artistic project presenting Rome as a unified monument shaped by centuries of architectural achievement. The composition draws the viewer into the richly articulated interior through a carefully constructed perspective emphasizing monumental arches, sculptural decoration, and layered chapels. The architectural rhythm of massive columns and soaring vaults guides the eye toward the illuminated altar, while refined ornamental details—stucco work, sculptural reliefs, and decorative moldings—are rendered with remarkable precision. Small figures placed throughout the scene animate the space, reinforcing both scale and the lived experience of the church as a place of devotion and contemplation. Benoist’s lithographic technique balances documentary accuracy with atmospheric subtlety. The soft tonal gradations capture the diffusion of light within the sacred interior, lending depth and serenity to the composition. As part of Rome dans sa Grandeur, the image reflects 19th-century fascination with Rome’s layered artistic heritage, presenting ecclesiastical architecture not merely as historical relic but as an enduring cultural environment. Santa Maria del Popolo itself held particular importance for travelers undertaking the Grand Tour, serving as one of the first major churches encountered upon entering Rome from the north. This association enhances the print’s historical resonance, connecting it to centuries of artistic pilgrimage and European cultural exchange. The lithograph is highly suitable for collectors of architectural interiors, Grand Tour imagery, and refined decorative prints. Its balanced composition and elegant monochrome palette make it ideal for sophisticated interiors, libraries, studies, or gallery walls where classical architecture enhances visual depth and historical character. Condition report: Good antique condition overall. Light age-related toning and scattered foxing, mainly visible in the margins. Image remains clear and sharply printed. Plate mark visible. No significant tears or restorations observed. Framing tips: A generous ivory or warm cream mat enhances the architectural perspective and highlights the tonal delicacy of the lithograph. Frames in dark walnut, ebonized wood, or muted antique gold complement the classical subject and create a museum-style presentation. Museum glass is recommended for protection and clarity. Technique: Lithograph Maker: Félix Benoist after Bayot, Paris, 1869 SEO keyword block: Santa Maria del Popolo interior print, Rome dans sa Grandeur lithograph, Félix Benoist Rome, 19th century Rome church interior, Grand Tour Rome print...

Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, Rome – Benoist 1869 Lithograph Description: This elegant 19th-century lithograph presents a view of the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano (St John Lateran), the cathedral church of Rome and one of the most historically significant religious monuments in Christianity. Created by Félix Benoist after Bayot and published in Paris in 1869, the print forms part of the celebrated series Rome dans sa Grandeur, an ambitious visual project portraying Rome as a unified historical and architectural landscape. The composition depicts the basilica from the approach along the new Albano road, combining monumental architecture with lively scenes of daily Roman life. The grand façade of San Giovanni in Laterano rises prominently in the background, its statues crowning the roofline and emphasizing the church’s ceremonial importance. To the right appears the Porta San Giovanni, while remnants of earlier fortifications and towers connect the ancient and modern city. In the foreground, horse-drawn carriages, riders, and pedestrians animate the roadway, offering a vivid glimpse into mid-19th-century urban movement and social activity. Benoist’s lithographic technique skillfully balances architectural precision with atmospheric softness. The careful rendering of perspective leads the viewer naturally toward the basilica, while delicate tonal gradations create depth within the expansive Roman sky. As with other plates in Rome dans sa Grandeur, the image transcends simple topography, presenting Rome as both an ancient capital and a living modern city shaped by centuries of continuity. Historically known as the “Mother Church” of Catholicism, San Giovanni in Laterano held immense symbolic importance, serving as the official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope. This context enhances the print’s historical and cultural significance, making it appealing to collectors of religious architecture, Grand Tour imagery, and 19th-century European city views. The lithograph’s balanced composition and open landscape make it particularly suitable for interior display, working beautifully in classical or contemporary interiors where architectural imagery adds refinement and historical character. Condition report: Good antique condition overall. Light age-related toning and scattered foxing, primarily in the margins. Image remains clear with strong detail. No major tears or restorations observed. Framing tips: A wide ivory or soft cream mat enhances the panoramic character and emphasizes depth. Frames in dark walnut, ebonized wood, or antique gold complement the classical subject. Museum glass is recommended to protect the paper and preserve tonal quality. Technique: Lithograph Maker: Félix Benoist after Bayot, Paris, 1869 SEO keyword block: San Giovanni in Laterano lithograph, Rome dans sa Grandeur print, St John Lateran Rome, Félix Benoist Rome, 19th century Rome city view, antique Rome architecture print...