Spanish Steps Rome Prints
The Spanish Steps are a great place to people watch. This particular scene was inspired by a smaller watercolour painted on location as the crowds gathered.
The “Scalinata” is the longest and widest stone staircase in Europe with 138 steps. Shop for spanish steps art prints from independent artist Alan Reed. Each spanish steps art print is produced by Alan Reed and is signed and numbered.
Available in larger sizes please contact
History of the Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps were financed by a French diplomat by the name of Étienne Gueffier. The ‘Spanish’ part of the name refers to the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See. This would have been located on Piazza di Spagna (literally ‘Spanish Square’) at the base of the monument.https://citywonders.com/blog/Italy/Rome/history-of-the-spanish-steps
After they were completed in 1725, the steps quickly gained a reputation for being a prime people-watching spot because they attracted a crowd. A high concentration of artists and later photographers, were drawn to the attractive monument, served as bait for wannabe models. In the mid-20th century, A-listers Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck spurred on a stampede of American travellers to the site. The steps were used as a backdrop in the 1953 hit rom-com, Roman Holiday.
Of course, decades of heavy footfall took their toll on the monument. A huge restoration project in 2015 and 2016 saw the Spanish Steps scrubbed clean and returned to their former splendor. These days, they are looking as spick and span as they ever have.
