This fabulous view of the Spanish Steps in Rome is found in Jean Barbault’s ‘Les Plus Beaux Edifices de Rome Moderne’. Olschki states that the views of Barbault occupy an honourable place in the iconography of Rome. There are several figures in the image helping to bring it to life. Barbault studied in Paris before settling in Rome. He entered Rome at the time Piranesi was active and worked with him as well as becomming a rival. Barbault contributed figures to fourteen plates by Piranesi in volumes 2 and 3 of the ‘Antichita Romane’, 1754. There were not many collaborators. Seven years later Barbault’s own collection of views on ancient Rome was published. In both this and the posthumously published ‘Les Plus Beaux Edifices de Rome Moderne’ (1763) from which this plate is drawn, Barbault drew on several views from Piranesi’s earlier work. In the views of “modern” Rome, Barbault is, inevitably, close to Piranesi’s contemporary views. Berlin Cat. 2712; Brunet I 546; Fowler 37; Olschki 16397.