Church Peristyle and Areas Adjacent to the Chapel of Calvary at San Stefano in Bologna

Antonio Basoli trained in Bologna within the circle of the Bibiena family and Pelagio Palagi, leading a quiet life marked by a successful academic career. Before turning his attention to vedute, he was extensively involved in interior decoration and theatrical set design.

He began depicting views of Bologna later in his career: in 1817 he started the series Porte della città di Bologna, devoted to the city gates, followed in 1833 by the aquatints for the Cento vedute pittoresche della città di Bologna (One Hundred Picturesque Views of the City of Bologna), executed by his brothers after his own oil studies painted from life, in keeping with the established practice of his workshop.

The two panels, depicting the interior of the complex of Santo Stefano during structural renovations, were later translated into aquatint by his brothers Luigi and Francesco for the Cento vedute pittoresche della città di Bologna series (1).