Antique Master Print-MONUMENTAL THEATRICAL TOMB INTERIOR-Zucchi-Fontanesi-1817

‘SEPOLCRALE: SCHIZZO PRESO IL SIG.R K. SAVERIO FONTANESI / AL SIG.R GIOVANNI PAGLIA ARCHITETTO / K. FRANCESCO FONTANESI INV. / CARLO ZUCCHI DIS. ED INC.’

– A grand imagined sepulchral space filled with classical architectural motifs including barrel vaults, domes, tombs with inscriptions, busts, and statues. A lone figure offers a sense of scale in the vast interior. By the architect Giovanni Paglia 1766-1846). Probably a stage design.

Description

Medium: Aquatint and etching on wove (vellin) paper.

Sheet size: 42.2 x 35.3 cm (16.61 x 13.9 inch). Image size: 38.2 x 28.8 cm. (15.04 x 11.34 inch).

Condition: very good, given age. Light foxing, creasing and soiling. Original middle fold aspublished. Tear alond bottom middle fold, backed. Additional tears at top right, bottom left and bottom right, backed. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

SEPULCHRE, TOMB, THEATRE SET DESIGN, CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE, ZUCCHI, FONTANESI, MELGARI | PCO-B2-45

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Published by Melgari, Reggio Emilia, 1817-1820.

State: First state of two (I/II), with plate number ‘N. III’.

Reference: Davoli Z., 1983, p. 32, n. 82/1.

Biography engraver: Carlo Zucchi (1789-1849) was an Italian printmaker, stage designer, and architect from Reggio Emilia, known for his refined architectural and scenographic engravings.

Biography artist: Francesco Fontanesi (1751-1795) was an Italian painter and scenographer, active in theatrical design. He was associated with court theatres and was admired for his imaginative stage architecture.