1842 - 雕刻 仿安尼巴莱·卡拉奇（1560–1609）的作品 - 大象对开本 - 53.6 cm (没有保留价)

“Engraving after Annibale Carracci

Period: printed circa 1842, 19th century
Material: steel engraving on sturdy wove paper
Dimensions: sheet approximately 350 × 536 mm; image approximately 131 × 187 mm
Condition: excellent condition, with minimal age-related wear consistent with its age
Collection Number: 362

Description of the Scene

Mythological composition depicting Venus, a satyr, and several putti. Venus is shown reclining in a semi-recumbent pose, her back turned toward the viewer while her body is gracefully twisted in a relaxed yet sensual attitude. Her nudity is only partially concealed by a lightly draped cloth. To her left appears a satyr, identifiable by his animalistic features and expressive facial characteristics, carrying a bowl of fruit. Surrounding the central group are playful putti, one curiously entering the scene while another emerges playfully behind Venus.

The composition is compact and carefully balanced. The figures are positioned closely together, creating an intimate and almost theatrical atmosphere. Light and shadow model the bodies with remarkable subtlety, enhancing their sculptural presence. The diagonal movement of Venus’ body, combined with the gestures of the satyr and putti, generates a dynamic visual interaction, while the restrained background ensures that attention remains focused entirely on the figures.

The engraving is distinguished by exceptionally refined line work and sophisticated tonal modelling. The treatment of skin, musculature, and drapery demonstrates considerable technical mastery. Delicate transitions between light and shadow, combined with precise hatching, impart an almost painterly quality to the image. Both its format and execution place this print among the finest examples of nineteenth-century mythological steel engravings, produced for a cultivated audience with an appreciation for classical art and art history.

Original Artist

Annibale Carracci was one of the founders of the Italian Baroque and a central figure of the Bolognese School. His work represented a groundbreaking synthesis of classical harmony, naturalism, and emotional expression. Carracci’s mythological compositions, including the celebrated frescoes of the Farnese Gallery in Rome, are admired for their vitality, compositional strength, and idealized conception of beauty. His influence extended throughout Europe and shaped the development of Baroque painting for generations.

Engraved by

A. Marchi was a nineteenth-century Italian master engraver specializing in high-quality steel engravings after compositions by the Old Masters. His work is characterized by technical precision, refined line work, and a sophisticated understanding of volume and light. In the present engraving, the translation of Carracci’s composition goes beyond mere reproduction, resulting in an accomplished and autonomous work of graphic art representative of the highest traditions of nineteenth-century printmaking.

Provenance

This engraving was acquired in 2005 from the private collection of J. van Calker (Overijssel, the Netherlands). According to the available information, the collector obtained the work between 1994 and 1998 through Hessink’s Fine Art Auctioneers in Zwolle. Prior to that, the print formed part of an international private collection, although no further documented ownership history is known.