Antonio Domenico Gabbiani (1652–1726)
“Bust of an Old Man” (Busto di Vecchio), published 1762
Technical Details & Condition:
Etching on laid paper. This is Plate XXX (30) 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 XXX 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: 15.8 x 10.7 cm
• Platemark: 7.1 x 5.5 cm
In-Plate Lettering:
• Lower left: “A.D.Gab. f.”
• Lower centre: “XXX”
References:
• TIB 0728.002 (Paolo Bellini, “The Illustrated
Bartsch: Italian Masters of the Seventeenth Century”, Vol. 47, Commentary Part 3,
2005, Abaris Books, p. 19, cat. no. [4728] .002)
• 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: Catalogued under museum number 1854,1211.401.32—https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1854-1211-401-32.
(Note: British Museum Record 1854,1211.401.31—https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1854-1211-401-31—incorrectly
titles its entry “Plate 31: portrait of a woman” while hosting the image for
Plate XXX; the text details are correctly matched to Plate XXX under Record
1854,1211.401.32).
Price & Shipping:
AU$259 (approximately US$178.63 / €157.16 / £135.53),
including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the
buyer’s responsibility.
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
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