This incredible Italian micromosaic depicts a brilliantly detailed scene of St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican. Though at first glance it may appear to be a painting, this mosaic is comprised of hundreds of thousands of tiny glass tiles, or tesserae, each perfectly matched for color, size and placement. Every minuscule tile is painstakingly placed to exacting measures to create this magnificent scene portraying such details as clouds in the sky, flowing fountains, picturesque statues, and horses and buggies traversing St. Peter’s Square.

Glorious micromosaics of unprecedented beauty and complexity enjoyed great popularity among the ancient Romans who decorated their homes with massive micromosaic pieces. The art of the micromosaic re-emerged during the 19th century, most notably in the workshops of The Vatican, finding favor among the surge of affluent tourists making their requisite Grand Tour across Europe. Avid collectors of these incredible works included Napoleon and Josephine, Russian czars and ancestors of the legendary de Medici family.

This micromosaic resides in its custom-crafted ebonized frame with durable hanging mounts for wall display.