Lot 1574 Dα

Capitoline Hill, the smallest of Rome's seven peaks, was the city's political and religious centre during the Imperial era. Following its decline in late antiquity and the early medieval period, Rome gained importance again during the Renaissance. Michelangelo was commissioned with the remodelling of the Capitoline hill, and he created the trapezoid plaza flanked by the Palazzo dei Conservatori, Palazzo Nuovo and the Palazzo Senatorio. Michelangelo was also responsible for the design of the “Cordonata”, the broad ramp leading up to the plaza.
The present, large-format veduta shows a frontal view of the Piazza del Campidoglio and the surrounding palaces. The unidentified artist was among the circle of Roman and Italian veduta painters, and has enlivened his architectural composition with varied figural staffage and the famous equestrian sculpture of Marcus Aurelius which was erected on the plaza by Pope Paul III in 1538.