Couple original 18th century copper etchings by Nicola Billy from wall frescos discovered during excavation in Ercolano / Herculaneum. "Three naked servants, their heads decorated with olive branches, with an olive branch in one hand and a tray" in the other etching "Two naked servants (man and woman)" The etching belongs to the print suite “Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed” (original title: “Le Antichità di Ercolano Esposte”), an eight-volume volume of engravings of the finds from the excavation of the ruins of Herculaneum in the Kingdom of Naples (now Campania, Italy). It was published between 1757 and 1792 by the Regia Stamperia, and copies were delivered to selected recipients across Europe. Despite the title, the Antiquity of Herculaneum shows objects from all the excavations undertaken by the Bourbons in the Gulf of Naples. These include Pompeii, Stabia and two sites of Herculaneum: Resina and Portici. The Bourbon King Carlo appointed fifteen scholars creating a new “Herculaneum Academy” to study the artifacts and publish the results of the archaeological excavations of the sites. The engravings are of high quality and the accompanying text shows a large scholarship. They were realized by 25 prominent artists involved by the King to prepare drawings and engravings on the finds, among which we can find Giovanni Elia Morghen, Carlo Nolli, Luigi Vanvitelli and Giovanni Battista Casanova. The “Antiquities” was designed more to amaze readers with the quality of the objects in the collection of the King of Naples than to be used in research. Following and increasing the interest of 18th century society for the classical culture and Art in particular. Measurements both etchings: 23x32x0,1cm - NO FRAME The item is sent worldwide via the PostNL international service. The shipping costs include proof of delivery (registered) plus insurance against loss or damage with a maximum insured value of 500 euros.