WITTEL, Caspar Andriaans van
(b. 1653, Amersfoort, d. 1736, Roma)

View of Rome with the Tiber and Castel Sant'Angelo

1685
Tempera on parchment, 29 x 41 cm
Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti), Florence

Opting out from the thriving market in views of Roman ruins, Van Wittel recorded Rome's daily life. The perspective here is slightly forced to show both the Castel Sant'Angelo and the complex of Saint Peter's and the Vatican Palace. Interestingly, Bernini's bell towers adorn Saint Peter's, although only one was built, and it was demolished in 1646.