Giovanni Battista Leonetti, Sarcophagus Representing the Story of Actaeon, 1821

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"sarcophagus representing the story of actaeon" (sarcophagus representing the fable of actaeon) is a beautiful black and white burin and … Read more "sarcophagus representing the story of actaeon" (sarcophagus representing the fable of actaeon) is a beautiful black and white burin and etching on paper, realized by the italian artist giovanni battista leonetti, after tofanelli agostino (lucca 1770 - rome 1834), as the inscriptions on plates on lower margins report "augustine tofanelli outlined. / gio. Batta leonetti engraved. Rome". Image dimensions: 33.8 x 47.7 cm this print is numbered in roman numerals on plate on right margin: "tom ii. / table. Ii "and is a plate from the series" illustrations de'monumenti selected existing borghesiani in villa on the pincio (\.) dates now for the first time highlighted by cav. Pl. Gherardo de rossi and stefano piale under the guidance of vincenzo feoli ", by ennio quirino visconti, published by stamperia de romanis in rome, 1821. The print shows a precious piece of the borghese's collection, a wonderful antique sarcophagus with a very detailed scenes representing the fable of actaeon. In excellent conditions with a usual yellowing of the paper at the edges, this wonderful burin has preserved still today his lifetime impressions and a wide gradient of grays and blacks. Illustrations de 'chosen monuments borghesiani this collection in two volumes is a beautifully detailed catalog of classical sculptures collected by prince borghese (1730-1800) in his villa on the pincio. Ennio quirino visconti (1751 - 1818) wrote the texts that accompany the large branches depicting. To these writings, which were available by the son of the illustrious archaeologist, the publisher added only a few illustrations relating to some minor monument of copper which had already been engraved. The engraved title-plate are signed by draughtsmen like augustine tofanelli, stefano tofanelli, bernardino nocchi, domenico de angelis or teodoro matteini, and by engravers pietro fontana veneto, p. Vitali, peter bettelini, veneto giovanni folo, giovanni brunetti from ravenna, giovanni ottaviani, francesco cecchini, gio. Batta. Leonetti, carattoni girolamo, domenico cunego, luigi cunego, alessandro mochetti, luigi pizzi, angelo campanella or giacomo bossi. The volume i shows ancient full-length statues, of the borghese warrior by agasias (two plates), greek and roman gods and heroes famous historical figures; represents the last two plates antique egyptian deities. There are plates representing ancient bas-reliefs, sarcophagi, of mythological subjects, the borghese vase, portrait busts, a vase on an altar, two statues of amor; and two modern statues, by bernini (the apollo and daphne, and the david). "très bel ouvrage" brunet writes, "grand ouvrage, le seul here merite, parmi ceux sur la villa borgese, de figurer dans le chapitre aux galeries et collections" vinet said, looking at this plate. Giovanni battista leonetti was an italian engraver. He worked in rome at the commencement of the 19th century, and died before 1830. He engraved works by guercino and francesco gessi. Tofanelli agostino (lucca 1770 - rome 1834) son of the engraver andrea augustine tofanelli studied with his father and his brother stephen. In 1781 he settled in rome to attend the courses of the accademia del nudo. Until the early years of the century it had a good name with a prestigious client as a draftsman and engraver; in 1807 he was appointed custodian of the capitoline museum, a position he held until his death. The first important assignments as a painter i saw in rome in palazzo spada (1808) and in the renovation of the apartments of the quirinale (salon de musique of the empress, 1812). In 1813 he was appointed member of the accademia di san luca to follow the interventions in palazzo taverna, in the vatican palace and in the chapel of the quirinal. In lucca, also he was commissioned by maria luisa of bourbon, for family portraits and works of biblical theme. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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