Fragonard, Benoît-Louis Henriquez (1732-1806) - Allegoria: Giustizia e Sapienza Divina, Sacrestia di Solimena, situata nella Basilica

Original aquatint and burin engraving from the 18th century, commissioned by Abbot Jean-Claude Richard de Saint-Non. They are part of the famous editorial work "Voyage pittoresque ou Description des royaumes de Naples et de Sicile", published in Paris around 1780-1785.

Lot of 2 engravings on a single plate and on a single sheet, impression on laid paper with watermark. Excellent inking and good overall condition, traces of foxing and browning as shown in the photos. Single sheet with ample original margins. Insured shipping via Bartolini/DPD courier. To avail of the insurance coverage, any damage to the neck (package) must be contested and reported to the courier at the time of delivery. Otherwise, it will not be possible to activate the insurance reimbursement procedure.

Designer: Jean-Honoré Fragonard (as indicated by the inscription at the lower left: "Dessiné par Fragonard"). During his journey in Italy, Fragonard produced numerous drawings copying the masterpieces of the past masters encountered along the way.

Painting/Drawings: Francesco Solimena (1657 /1747
Engraver: Benoît-Louis Henriquez (1732 /1806)
Publisher: Jean-Claude Richard de Saint-Non (1727 /1791)

Jean-Claude Richard de Saint-Non (Paris, 1727 – Paris, 1791), universally known as the Abbot de Saint-Non, was a central figure of French Enlightenment culture, famous as an engraver, patron, archaeologist and traveler. He was the archetype of the eighteenth-century art amateur and bound his name inseparably to the monumental project of the Voyage pittoresque.

The Abbot of Saint-Non, a man of great culture, an archaeologist and refined engraver, undertook his journey in Italy between 1759 and 1761, being struck by the beauties of the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily. Returning to France, he decided to personally finance an immense work that could describe those lands. To do so, he recruited an exceptional team of artists, including painters Jean-Honoré Fragonard and Hubert Robert, and used the detailed diaries of Dominique Vivant Denon (future first director of the Louvre).

The Voyage pittoresque ou Description des royaumes de Naples et de Sicile by Abbot Jean-Claude Richard de Saint-Non (published in Paris between 1781 and 1786) is considered one of the most monumental, famous and precious illustrated books of the entire Enlightenment era. It represents the artistic peak of the Grand Tour phenomenon and the highest expression of Enlightenment curiosity toward the archaeological, artistic and natural heritage of the Mezzogiorno of Italy.