|
Date: |
|
Description: | IH, unbound s. on plate b. r. "J Basire sct. 1763"; inscr. on plate b. l. "Lod. Carracci delt."; inscr. on plate b. c. "In the Collection of Jonn. Richardson Esqr.- CR edit"; inscr. verso c. in pencil "80 [circled]" CRE BASIRE, James; (English; 1730-1802) AFTER CARRACCI, Lodovico; (Italian; 1555-1619) PUB ROGERS, Charles; (English; 1711-1784) This unbound volume is part of William Hunter's original bequest. Published by Charles Rogers (1711-1784), an eminent eighteenth century collector, it consists of 112 prints accompanied by introductory texts on the artists represented. It highlights the wealth of old master drawings held in contemporary private British collections and is among the most impressive art historical writings of 18th century England.
Ludovico Carracci's drawing belonged to Jonathan Richardson the younger (1694-1771), the son of leading connoisseur Jonathan Richardson (1667-1745) who had amassed a splendid drawing collection. After his father's death much of the collection was bought up by the next generation of discerning collectors from Thomas Hudson to George Knapton but Jonathan retained a small portion of it.
According to Rogers, this allegorical image was a study for a fresco for an unidentified Bolognese family. The eagle and lion, symbolising mental discernment and fortitude, draw a carriage of harmony represented by musicians. Abundance presides over them with her horn of plenty.
The Carracci, who played an influential role in the beginnings of the Baroque, were highly respected in the 18th century. Their appeal to connoisseurs was undoubtedly increased by George III's acquisition of an important group of drawings by them in 1762. | License: | http://www.hmag.gla.ac.uk/spirit/rights/ | Publisher: | Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, University of Glasgow | Rights holder: | Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, University of Glasgow | Subjects: | DRAWING : IMITATION : CAR : PROCESSION : PAGAN : HUNTER VOLUME : ALLEGORY : REPRODUCTIVE : CLASSICAL : | Source: | Hunterian Museum | Creator: | Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, University of Glasgow | Identifier: | http://www.huntsearch.gla.ac.uk/cgi-bin/... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
|
|