St Paul (detail)

In Italy, Neoclassicism maintained its dominance until the end of the nineteenth century and found masterly expression in the new basilica of San Paolo fuori le Mura, which was consecrated in 1854 (the first church having been destroyed by fire in 1823). The restoration was completed by the addition of a splendid four-bayed portico, in the centre of which stands a monumental figure of St Paul by Giuseppe Obici.