View of S. Giovanni, Laterano

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Drawing details

Artist: Formerly attributed to Leighton, Lord, Frederic (1830-1896), Baron of Stretton, P.R.A., painter and sculptor
Title: View of S. Giovanni, Laterano
Date: 1852-55
Media: Pencil on white paper
Dimensions: 41.0 x 29.5 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0437 p.20
Inscriptions: Inscribed in Italian lower right "S. Giovanni Laterano" in pencil, which translates as "S. Giovanni Lateran", possibly in the artist's hand.

Interpretation

San Giovanni in Laterano is near Rome. The 'Lateran' part of its name is taken from a Roman family who owned property on this hill, before it was confiscated by Nero. After his conversion to Christianity, Constantine founded a church here in what had been his Lateran Palace. The double-height loggia that is seen from the side in the drawing was designed by Domenico Fontana in c.1586. The building beyond it is the Lateran Palace.

Description

Page from a sketchbook. View of the church of S. Giovanni Laterano, the church is seen from the east end rising above a tall angled wall running diagonally from the left. In the centre is the apse of the church. At the left hand side can be seen a loggia and beyond it another building. 

Provenance

Presented to Leighton House Museum by 1926