Swiss Guard, Roman Peasants and Women of Frascati, Hand Colored Lithograph, 1842

This original antique lithograph, hand colored, comes from the Galleria Universale di Tutti i Popoli del Mondo (Venice, Giuseppe Antonelli, 1842). The upper image shows at the left a Swiss Guard in a steel helmet with a red plume, a steel breastplate and arm pieces, and full breeches striped in yellow, blue and red, a sword at his hip and a halberd held in one hand and resting against his shoulder. To the right two peasants: one sits on a rock in a tall dark hat smoking a pipe, in a white shirt and orange breeches; the other stands in a black hat with an orange scarf, a checked sash, blue breeches and white stockings, leaning on a long staff. The lower image shows two women by a river with hills behind. The woman at the left wears a black veil over a white headcloth, a rose pink dress with yellow striped shoulders and a white apron, and holds out one hand. The woman at the right balances a load of white cloth on her head and wears a brown laced bodice and a green and blue skirt.

The lettering reads "Tom. IV" at the top left, "ITALIA" at the center and "Tav. 52" at the top right. Under the upper image: "Guardia Svizzera" (Swiss Guard) and "Contadini Romani" (Roman peasants). Under the lower image: "Donne di Frascati" (women of Frascati).

The Swiss Guard has served the popes in Rome since 1506 and is known for its striped uniform. Frascati is a hill town in the Alban Hills southeast of Rome.

Its bright costume colors make it an attractive piece for an Italian themed room or a collection of regional dress.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.