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[Twelve aquatint plates of scenographic designs printed in bistre]
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FONTANESI, Francesco (1751--1795)
[Twelve aquatint plates of scenographic designs printed in bistre]
Reggio Emilia (Place), [1812--1814].
[12] aquat. pl. ; 46.8 x 60.3 cm. (obl. 2°)
The plates were engraved from designs by Francesco Fontanesi by Count Giovanni Rocca, who became professor of engraving at the Scuola delle Belle Arti in Reggio Emilia in 1816. Plate [6] is signed 'Fontanesi fecit 1794'/ 'Gio: Rocca inc: 1814'; of the other plates, none bears a date for the original design, six have an engraving date of 1812, and five of 1813. The Soane copy lacks the portrait recorded in the British Library copy. Soane might have seen some Fontanesi's stage designs at the theatre in Milan when he was there in 1780. The picturesque subjects include classical temples, rustic scenes, ruins and prisons.
Copy Notes Soane probably acquired the plates unbound. All but the first three plates are inscribed in pencil in the upper right corner No. 5. in / 12 Copie; parts of some of the inscriptions were lost when the plates were trimmed in binding. Front free-endpaper inscribed by Soane in ink Fontanesi & Rocca. = Compositions.
Binding C19th half calf, marbled-paper boards, gilt double-ruled spine, upper cover with paper label inscribed in ink probably by George Bailey or C.J. Richardson 'Architectural / Compositions. / by / C.F. Fontanesi, Engraved by. Rocca / 1812'.
Reference Number 5571
Additional Names Rocca, Count Giovanni (1788--1859)
[Twelve aquatint plates of scenographic designs printed in bistre]
Reggio Emilia (Place), [1812--1814].
[12] aquat. pl. ; 46.8 x 60.3 cm. (obl. 2°)
The plates were engraved from designs by Francesco Fontanesi by Count Giovanni Rocca, who became professor of engraving at the Scuola delle Belle Arti in Reggio Emilia in 1816. Plate [6] is signed 'Fontanesi fecit 1794'/ 'Gio: Rocca inc: 1814'; of the other plates, none bears a date for the original design, six have an engraving date of 1812, and five of 1813. The Soane copy lacks the portrait recorded in the British Library copy. Soane might have seen some Fontanesi's stage designs at the theatre in Milan when he was there in 1780. The picturesque subjects include classical temples, rustic scenes, ruins and prisons.
Copy Notes Soane probably acquired the plates unbound. All but the first three plates are inscribed in pencil in the upper right corner No. 5. in / 12 Copie; parts of some of the inscriptions were lost when the plates were trimmed in binding. Front free-endpaper inscribed by Soane in ink Fontanesi & Rocca. = Compositions.
Binding C19th half calf, marbled-paper boards, gilt double-ruled spine, upper cover with paper label inscribed in ink probably by George Bailey or C.J. Richardson 'Architectural / Compositions. / by / C.F. Fontanesi, Engraved by. Rocca / 1812'.
Reference Number 5571
Additional Names Rocca, Count Giovanni (1788--1859)