Engraving On Vellum, Antique Bas-relief, Bacchus, Fortune, Thalia

Gallery of Florence Etruscan
bas-relief, Mysteries of Bacchus.
Antique engraved stones, Fortune of the Cities, Thalia.
Etching Plate size: 54 x 36 cm

Provenance: Extract from the work “Tableaux, Statues, Bas-Reliefs et Camées de la Galerie de Florence et du Palais Pitti”, published in Paris between 1789 and 1807.
• Drawn by: Jean-Baptiste Wicar
• Engraved by: Claude-Louis Masquelier
• Artistic direction: Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine (probably assisted by Lacombe)

Explanatory text by Mongez l'aîné, member of the Royal Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres, Keeper of the Antiquities of Sainte-Geneviève. Publisher Lacombe, Painter – Rue de la Harpe n°84, Paris. Printed by the Gallery of Florence, on superfine vellum paper by Johannot d'Annonay.

This plate presents an Etruscan bas-relief representing the Mysteries of Bacchus, accompanied by two antique engraved stones illustrating the allegories of the Fortune of the Cities and Thalia, muse of comedy, it testifies to the artistic erudition of the 18th century and the fascination for Antiquity. The finesse of the printing, the prestige of the edition, the excellent state of conservation and the mythological subject make it a sought-after work for lovers of old engravings and bibliophiles, among the most beautiful museum reproductions of their time.

Condition: Very good apparent condition, slight marginal marks due to age, fine and clear printing.