079.

Palazzo Altieri

Palazzo Altieri was built in two principal stages, clearly visible in this print. The first symmetrical block, on the left, faces onto Piazza del Gesù, formerly known as Platea (piazza) Alteriorum (see the 1551 Bufalini Map). It was begun by De Rossi in 1650. Twenty years later the same architect began the vast expansion of the building which eventually took over the whole block. In this print the corner of the Chiesa del Gesù (1) (also shown in a contiguous view, Plate 135), has been distanced from the palazzo so as to be able to reveal the full length of the latter. This also enabled Vasi to show a view down Via del Plebiscito looking toward Piazza Venezia, Plate 39. The crenellated corner of Palazzo Venezia (2) is just visible to the left of the Gesù followed by the corner of Palazzo Bolognetti on Piazza Venezia. Beyond Palazzo Altieri the 18th century facade of Palazzo Panphilj (3) is followed by the Palazzo d'Aste (4), and the opening of the Via del Corso all shown on Plate 39 as well. The sunlit facade and portal of Palazzo Colonna on Piazza SS. Apostoli, Plate 63, appears at the very end of the street with the trees of its sloping gardens (5) behind. Vasi takes advantage of this view to pick out three notable monuments on the distant Quirinal hill. The Quirinal palace or Palazzo Pontificio (6) Plate 61 is shown with the (unnumbered) Palazzo della Consulta (NN 174) to the right. Further to the right is the Palazzo Rospigliosi (7) Plate 62. It is worth noting that with the exception of Palazzo Bolognetti, all the buildings in this view survive to this day.