Landscape with two penitents

A dense, wooded and rocky landscape, typical of Ricci's wild, pre-Romantic style, featuring two figures of penitents or hermits in prayer.

Etching, circa 1723-30, signed "MR f" on the reverse and in interlaced letters in the lower left incision, signed in full lower right on the dedication plate.

Example of the first state of two, before the number added at the upper left and with the dedication engraved on another plate.

The Latin inscription at the bottom is a formal dedication to Giacomo Soranzo ("Jacobo Superantio Patricio Veneto"), a Venetian patrician and noted collector and literary patron of the period ("Literarum Bonarumque Artium Maecenati Optimo"). The homage is signed lower center by the Venetian publisher and engraver Carlo Orsolini ("Carolus Orsolini D.D.D."), who published Ricci's series of prints.

Marco Ricci's etchings were published in 1730 by Carlo Orsolini in the famous collection Varia Marci Ricci Pictoris praestantissimi experimenta ab ipsomet auctore inventa. The collection includes the frontispiece designed by Visentini, the portrait of Ricci engraved by Faldoni, and 20 landscapes monogrammed on the plate by the artist.

Marco Ricci was a painter, engraver, and landscape artist born on June 5, 1676, in Belluno. Following a brawl, his violent temper forced him to move to Split. During this period, he created a series of works depicting the Dalmatian coast and the Piave River, which still stand out for their Titian-like style and their fusion of the Romantic views of his predecessors. The works from this period are characterized by dark or yellowish tones. He later met Alessandro Magnasco, and their collaboration led to the creation of a collection of sea storm scenes, in very dark tones. In his final creative period, the artist devoted himself to tempera on parchment, which can now be admired at Windsor Castle. Although he was a landscape painter, his caricatured portraits of dramatic actors are still appreciated today. Thanks to his great skill, he served as an example for the great Venetian painters of the 18th century. On January 21, 1729, he committed suicide in Venice.

A magnificent work, printed on contemporary laid paper with the typical "three moons" watermark, with thin margins, in excellent condition.

Bibliografia

D. Succi, La Serenissima nello Specchio del rame, vol. 2, pp. 166-167, n. 20, I/II; Bartsch n. 18; Succi, Da Carlevarijs ai Tiepolo, n. 430; Bellini (Ricci), n. 18.