Antonio Domenico Gabbiani, “Bust of a Young Woman”, published 1762

Antonio Domenico Gabbiani (1652–1726)

“Bust of a Young Woman” (Busto di Vecchio), published 1762

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on laid paper. This is Plate XXXI (31) from the celebrated series of 101 numbered plates, “Raccolta di cento Pensieri diversi di Anton Domenico Gabbiani […] fatti intagliare in rame da Ignazio Enrico Hugford…” Published in Florence by Nella Stamperia Mouchiana in 1762.

Note on Attribution: While the vast majority of the prints in this series were executed posthumously by prominent 18th-century engravers after Gabbiani's drawings, Plate XXXI is a rare and important exception. As confirmed by Paolo Bellini (2005 [TIB]) in his discussion of the series (p.19), this plate is one of only three in the entire series etched by Anton Domenico Gabbiani himself during his lifetime, making it an authentic, autograph print by the master's own hand.

The impression is a strong and well-printed early impression—based on the crisp quality of the line showing no sign of wear to the printing plate. The sheet is in near pristine condition, free of tears, holes, folds, or stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 16.4 x 11.8 cm
• Platemark: 7.1 x 5.6 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Lower left: “A.D.Gab. f.”
• Lower centre: “XXXI”

References:

• TIB 0728.003 (Paolo Bellini, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Italian Masters of the Seventeenth Century”, Vol. 47, Commentary Part 3, 2005, Abaris Books, p. 19, cat. no. [4728] .003)
• Archive.org: View this print in its original context via the Internet Archive Digital Copy: https://archive.org/details/frick-31072003862515/page/n27/mode/2up
• Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET): https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/351887    
• British Museum: Museum number 1854,1211.401.31 — https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1854-1211-401-31.  (Note: British Museum Records host the image for Plate XXXI with the description for Plate XXX: Museum number 1854,1211.401.32 — https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1854-1211-401-32.)

Price & Shipping:

AU$259 (approx. US$183.97 / €158.95 / £135.96, subject to daily exchange rates). Price fully includes worldwide express shipping. Please note that destination import duties and local taxes remain the sole responsibility of the buyer.

To acquire this small and rare etching that is one of the only five plates known to have been executed by an artist considered by his contemporaries to be the “most outstanding representative of the late Seicento Tuscan school” (Bellini, 2005 [TIB], p. 17), please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. Secure payment is handled via PayPal invoice for a smooth, protected transaction.