Externally Sourced: Ettore Roesler Franz Lithograph Pair

Ettore Roesler Franz "Roma Sparita" Lithograph Pair — Framed Vintage Reproductions.

Ettore Roesler Franz (1845–1907) was a masterful Italian painter of German descent, widely regarded as one of the most significant watercolourists of the late 19th century. His "Roma Sparita" (Vanished Rome) series is his magnum opus — 120 historic watercolours painted between 1876 and 1897 to document the ancient heart of Rome before demolition for modern thoroughfares.

This pair comprises two beautifully framed vintage lithographic reproductions: "Via dei Cappellari" (Street of the Hatmakers), capturing the dramatic depth of a Roman alleyway with working-class figures, hanging laundry, and ancient archways; and "Un arco del corridoio di borgo", featuring a striking perspective of the Passetto di Borgo — the historic elevated corridor connecting the Vatican with Castel Sant'Angelo — alongside an itinerant knife-grinder at his wheel.

Both original watercolours reside in the permanent archives of the Museo di Roma, making these framed reproductions highly prized by collectors of Italian history and classical architecture.