Three muses and a putto with a lyre

Reference: S41930
Author Giorgio GHISI detto "Il Mantovano"
Year: 1560 ca.
Measures: 172 x 197 mm
€900.00

Reference: S41930
Author Giorgio GHISI detto "Il Mantovano"
Year: 1560 ca.
Measures: 172 x 197 mm
€900.00

Description

Etching, 1560 circa, lettered within image in the clouds at lower centre 'FRAN. BOL. IN.' and with Ghisi's monogram '.G MAF.' Example in the third state, of six, according Boorsch-Lewis.

From a series of four prints that, according to Mariette, were based on compositions after Francesco Primaticcio's designs surrounding a central image of Venus and the three Fates in the vault of the fourth bay in the Galerie d’Ulysse at Fontainebleau  (destroyed 1738-39).

From a series of eight compositions after Francesco Primaticcio's designs for the ceiling of the Gallery of Ulysses (destroyed 1738-39) at Fontainebleau

Magnificent proof, printed on contemporary laid paper, thin margins, in excellent condition.

Literature

Boorsch, Lewis and Lewis n. 34 ; Bartsch, XV.400.36; Massari, 219.

Giorgio GHISI detto "Il Mantovano" (Mantova 1520 - 1582)

Giorgio Ghisi or Chizi, or Ghizi, aka Mantovano, was born in Mantua in a family from Parma who lived in Mantua between 1515 and 1525. He died in the same city in 1582. Giorgio was paiter, carver, “operatore all’azzimina” (he worked with jewels) and engraver. His first print bears the date 1543, although it is possible that he had already started his career as engraver even before, in the school of Giovanni Battista Scultori (1503 – 1575) and working with Giulio Romano who came to Mantua in 1524 to decorate Palazzo del Tè. Giorgio left Mantua after Giulio’s death, in 1546, and he went to Rome to meet his fellow citizen Pietro Faccetti, during the pontificate of Paul III (1534 – 1549). At the age of thirty, between 1549 and 1550, Ghisi left Italy and went to Antwerp, the most important cultural city in Europe, for he had been invited by the publisher Hieronymus Cock. From Antwerp he moved to Paris and there he published prints form Luca Penni and Giulio Romano bearing the King’s Privilege. He remained in Paris until 1560 approximately. In 1578 he must have engraved his last plates; we know that from that point and till his death, he worked for Vincenzo Gonzaga as jewel designer. Bartsch and Passavant had catalogued about 70 prints, while Hubert registered just 31; D’Arco lists 44 subjects and the Lewis’ 63.

Literature

Boorsch, Lewis and Lewis n. 34 ; Bartsch, XV.400.36; Massari, 219.

Giorgio GHISI detto "Il Mantovano" (Mantova 1520 - 1582)

Giorgio Ghisi or Chizi, or Ghizi, aka Mantovano, was born in Mantua in a family from Parma who lived in Mantua between 1515 and 1525. He died in the same city in 1582. Giorgio was paiter, carver, “operatore all’azzimina” (he worked with jewels) and engraver. His first print bears the date 1543, although it is possible that he had already started his career as engraver even before, in the school of Giovanni Battista Scultori (1503 – 1575) and working with Giulio Romano who came to Mantua in 1524 to decorate Palazzo del Tè. Giorgio left Mantua after Giulio’s death, in 1546, and he went to Rome to meet his fellow citizen Pietro Faccetti, during the pontificate of Paul III (1534 – 1549). At the age of thirty, between 1549 and 1550, Ghisi left Italy and went to Antwerp, the most important cultural city in Europe, for he had been invited by the publisher Hieronymus Cock. From Antwerp he moved to Paris and there he published prints form Luca Penni and Giulio Romano bearing the King’s Privilege. He remained in Paris until 1560 approximately. In 1578 he must have engraved his last plates; we know that from that point and till his death, he worked for Vincenzo Gonzaga as jewel designer. Bartsch and Passavant had catalogued about 70 prints, while Hubert registered just 31; D’Arco lists 44 subjects and the Lewis’ 63.