Prints and Principles

Most of the recent posts give details about individual prints and earlier posts discuss some of the subtle principles guiding artists in making images meaningful and memorable. For prints that are unsold, click "Items still available for sale" below. All other prints are no longer available. My contact email is oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com and my Instagram username is @printsandprinciples. I have created a separate blog to show my own work: https://printsandprinciplesjamesbrown.blogspot.com

Wednesday, 6 August 2025

Benigno Bossi, “Allegory of Painting Next to the Marble Bust of Count Giulio Ascanio Scutellari”, 1772

Benigno Bossi (1727–1792)

“Allegory of Painting Next to the Marble Bust of Count Giulio Ascanio Scutellari” (Allegoria della Pittura accanto al busto marmoreo del conte Giulio Ascanio Scutellari), 1772, a lifetime impression published in Parma by Giambattista Bodoni (1740–1813) (see http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12835/72334).

Unfortunately, I have been unable to locate specific biographical information about Count Giulio Ascanio Scutellari, the individual referenced in the title and whose bust is beside the allegorical figure of Painting. However, if the Count is also known as Guido Ascanio Scutellari Ajani (1711–1800), he would have been an Italian poet. While this remains speculative, it is plausible given the presence of the putti reading beneath the bust, which aligns with the theme of poetry and learning.

Etching with engraving on laid paper trimmed with a narrow margin around the image borderline and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 14 x 7.6cm; (image borderline) 13.4 x 7.1cm.

Inscribed in plate below the image borderline: (left) “Bossi In. Sculp.”

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression with a narrow margin around the image borderline and laid upon a sheet of millennium quality washi paper providing wide margins. Beyond a small stain on the head of the personification of painting, the sheet is in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, or significant stains.

I am selling this remarkably strong lifetime impression of a very beautiful etching showing the personification of painting holding a palette and brushes beside a sculpted bust—possibly portraying the Italian poet Guido Ascanio Scutellari Ajani—with putti avidly exploring books, for the total cost of AU$302 (approximately US$195.99, EUR 169.31 or GBP 147.42), including express mail shipping worldwide. Import duties, if any, are the responsibility of the buyer.

If you are interested in purchasing this jewel-like etching, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.