Fireworks in Rome Over Castel Sant' Angelo 1705 - 1760

Adriaen Manglard created this print of fireworks over the Castel Sant' Angelo in Rome using etching. The Castel Sant’Angelo, initially a mausoleum, had become a papal residence by this time, and the fireworks displays held there became a potent symbol of papal authority. Manglard’s print gives us a glimpse into the world of Roman spectacle, a carefully orchestrated display of pyrotechnics meant to impress and awe. Consider how the artist uses the sharp lines of the etching to convey both the architectural grandeur of the Castel Sant’Angelo and the ephemeral bursts of light from the fireworks. The work was made in the 18th Century. The print suggests some questions about who this display was for. Was it meant to inspire religious devotion, to reinforce social hierarchies, or simply to entertain? Art historians can examine period documents, such as letters, diaries, and official records, to better understand the social and institutional contexts that shaped this image. By understanding the social conditions that shaped artistic production, we can better grasp the complex relationship between art and society.