Items Similar to Execution Print: Public Beheading for Murder in Rome, Hand-Colored, 1820s

Antique Print of Chinese Street Punishments, 1859

The Execution of Three Jesuit Martyrs in London in 1581, Published in ca.1680

The Execution of Doctor Reginaldus for Opposing Henry VIII's Reformation, c.1680

Costume Print: Roman Butcher at Work, 1820s Hand-Colored Engraving

Antique Print of Punishment with a Cangue by D'Urville '1853'

Antique Religious Print "No. 35" the Crucifixion of Jesus, circa 1840

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 10

Execution Print: Public Beheading for Murder in Rome, Hand-Colored, 1820s

$263.59

£196.23

€220

CA$361.05

A$401.57

CHF 209.69

MX$4,886.70

NOK 2,678.04

SEK 2,511.53

DKK 1,674.78

Shipping

Retrieving quote...

The 1stDibs Promise:

Authenticity Guarantee,

Money-Back Guarantee,

24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Title: Execution Print: Public Beheading for Murder in Rome, Hand-Colored, 1820s Description: This rare and haunting hand-colored engraving, titled *An Execution in Rome for Murder*, presents a dramatic and historically significant glimpse into the justice system of early 19th-century Italy. Published in 1821 by Baldwin, Cradock & Joy, this print formed part of a visual series on Italian life, costume, and customs, including the more sobering rituals of capital punishment. At the center of the composition stands a guillotine, ominously elevated above a tightly packed crowd of onlookers. The executioner, sleeves rolled and posture rigid, awaits the condemned. The prisoner, dressed in yellow trousers and a red waistcoat, is escorted up the stairs by hooded confraternity members—likely monks of the Archconfraternity of San Giovanni Decollato, who provided spiritual support to those sentenced to death. One of them carries a black banner bearing a crucifix, a potent symbol of redemption and salvation offered in the prisoner’s final moments. The crowd in the background spills across the plaza and climbs onto rooftops, highlighting the spectacle such events became in Roman society. While deeply unsettling to modern sensibilities, these public executions were once seen as both a moral lesson and a civic ritual. The executioner’s guillotine—unusual in Italy compared to the axe or sword—adds a layer of rarity and significance to this image. The hand coloring is vivid and skillfully applied, particularly in the contrast between the dark robes of the confraternity and the more colorful clothing of the accused and surrounding spectators. The architectural details, signage, and emotive crowd expressions add realism and narrative depth to the scene. Condition: Very good antique condition, with some light foxing and age toning, mostly confined to the margins. The colors remain strong and impactful. Framing tips: This compelling historical piece benefits from a neutral mat—such as cream or warm beige—and a classic black or deep walnut frame to balance its dark subject matter. Ideal for collectors of legal history, social history, or rare ethnographic prints.

Dimensions:

Height: 12.45 in (31.6 cm)Width: 9.45 in (24 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)

Materials and Techniques:

Paper,Engraved

Period:

1820-1829

Date of Manufacture:

1820

Condition:

Very good antique condition, with some light foxing and age toning, mostly confined to the margins. The colors remain strong and impactful.

Seller Location:

Langweer, NL

Reference Number:

Seller: BG-13605-2-291stDibs: LU3054345304862

More From This Seller

View All

Antique Print of Chinese Street Punishments, 1859

Located in Langweer, NL

Antique print titled 'No.2 Street Punishments'. Print of Chinese street punishments. Shows a prisoner suspended from a cross-pole, supported by two upr...

Category

Antique 1850s English Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of Chinese Street Punishments, 1859

$215

The Execution of Three Jesuit Martyrs in London in 1581, Published in ca.1680

Located in Langweer, NL

The engraving shows a scene of martyrdom involving members of the Jesuit Society. The text at the bottom reads: "P. EDMONDUS CAMPIANUS, ROBERTUS SHERWINUS, ende ALEXANDER BRIANTUS ...

Category

Antique 1680s Prints

Materials

Paper

The Execution of Three Jesuit Martyrs in London in 1581, Published in ca.1680

$421 Sale Price

20% Off

The Execution of Doctor Reginaldus for Opposing Henry VIII's Reformation, c.1680

Located in Langweer, NL

The engraving depicts a historical execution scene, likely related to religious persecution. Below is a detailed description and analysis of the image and text: The text at the bott...

Category

Antique 1680s Prints

Materials

Paper

The Execution of Doctor Reginaldus for Opposing Henry VIII's Reformation, c.1680

$421 Sale Price

20% Off

Costume Print: Roman Butcher at Work, 1820s Hand-Colored Engraving

Located in Langweer, NL

Costume Print: Roman Butcher at Work, 1820s Hand-Colored Engraving This evocative hand-colored engraving, titled "Roman Butcher," offers a fascinating glimpse into daily life in 19t...

Category

Antique 1820s Prints

Materials

Paper

Costume Print: Roman Butcher at Work, 1820s Hand-Colored Engraving

$203

Antique Print of Punishment with a Cangue by D'Urville '1853'

Located in Langweer, NL

Antique print titled 'Chinois condamné à la Cangue'. Original print of punishment with a cangue (or tcha). The cangue is a device that was used for public humiliation and corporal punishment...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of Punishment with a Cangue by D'Urville '1853'

$191 Sale Price

20% Off

Antique Religious Print "No. 35" the Crucifixion of Jesus, circa 1840

Located in Langweer, NL

Antique print titled ‘Histoire Sainte, Nouveau Testament, Crucifiement.’ This plate shows a scene from the New Testament; The Crucifixion of Jesus...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Religious Print "No. 35" the Crucifixion of Jesus, circa 1840

$311

Late 18th Century Figurative Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Hand Colored Print of Chinese Life

$195

Antique Hand Colored Print of Chinese Life

Located in Rochester, NY

Early 19th century hand colored engraving of Chinese life. Original print from "The punishments of China" illustrated by twenty-two engravings by Mason, George Henry; Dadley, J. P. P...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Prints

Materials

Paint, Paper

Antique Hand Colored Print of Chinese Life

$195

"the Flagellation of Jesus" After Ludovico Carracci by Guilio Tomba 1780-1841

Located in Norton, MA

Description: Etching "The Flagellation of Jesus" after Ludovico Carracci by Guilio Tomba, 1780- 1841 Paper size: 13" W x 19" H (33 cm W x 48...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Other Prints

Materials

Paper

"the Flagellation of Jesus" After Ludovico Carracci by Guilio Tomba 1780-1841

$575

Taking of Magenta - Hand-colored Lithograph by C. Perrin - 1860

By C. Perrin

Located in Roma, IT

Taking of Magenta is a Hand-colored lithograph on paper, realized by Carlo Perrin in 1860, applied on the cardboard. Titled in Italian" Presa di Magenta", on the lower center, signed...

Category

1860s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Cardboard, Lithograph

C. Perrin
Taking of Magenta - Hand-colored Lithograph by C. Perrin - 1860, 1860

$359

French Engraving Hand Colored Galerie des Modes Costumes Francais, 1779.

Located in Vero Beach, FL

French Engraving Hand Colored Galerie des Modes Costumes Francais, 1779. Rare antique French fashion print hand colored published first ...

Category

Early 20th Century French Baroque Prints

Materials

Paper

French Engraving Hand Colored Galerie des Modes Costumes Francais, 1779.

$350

Il Corso - Original Etching by C. G. Hyalmar Morner - 1820

By Carl Gustaf Hyalmar Morner

Located in Roma, IT

Il Corso is a beautiful etching and hand-colored gouache, finely engraved on copper and printed on laid paper. The work, which presents a remarkable quality of strokes and brilliant ...

Category