18th Century and Earlier Art

Collections: Henry Scipio Reitlinger (1882-1950); Private collection, UK to 2019 Framed dimensions: 14.50 x 15.38 inches This drawing is one of only two known portrait drawings by Romney (as opposed to preliminary studies for portraits) and is dated by Alex Kidson as being executed no later than 1769. It is likely that the present drawing was originally part of a sketchbook, now largely dismembered (Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal), which Kidson notes, contained some of Romney’s most beautiful early drawings. This drawing, and a second sheet formerly with Andrew Wyld, have been identifying as depicting the Rev. William Atkinson...

17th-century Roman Maestro Title: Still life with parrot, fruit, flowers and metal jug on a cloth Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: without frame 64 × 118 cm - with frame 88 x 140 x ...

Etching realized by Jean Charles Baquoy in 1771. It belongs to the first edition of the suite "Histoire Naturelle de Buffon". Good conditions with slight foxing.

An 18th century etching and engraving entitled "Earl Sandwich Refusing to Leave His Ship While on Fire in the Battle of Sole Bay" by William Byrne (1743-1805), after a painting by Robert Smirke (1753-1845). It was published in London in 1798. The print is presented in a cream-colored mat. The mat measures 17.13" in height and 13" in width. The print is in excellent condition. Edward Montagu, the 1st Earl of Sandwich...

Attributed to, Alessandro Longhi 1733-1813, was a prominent Venetian portrait painter, printmaker, and biographer. The son of the famous genre painter Pietro Longhi, he is known for his detailed oil portraits of the Venetian aristocracy and his valuable book on contemporary Venetian painters. Longhi early life and training Born: Alessandro Longhi was born on June 12, 1733, in Venice. He received his initial training from his father, Pietro Longhi. He later studied under Giuseppe Nogari, a respected portraitist in Venice during the 18th century, and was elected to the Venetian Academy in 1759. Longhi specialized in portraiture, primarily depicting the nobles and officials of the Republic of Venice. His paintings are a valuable record of the social and political structure of 18th-century Venice. Rococo aesthetic: Working in the Rococo style, he was adept at capturing the elegance and social status of his subjects. He paid meticulous attention to the elaborate robes, wigs, and emblems of office that signified his subjects' power. While his official state portraits could be stiff and formal, his portraits of less noble patrons demonstrated a greater sense of realism and psychological insight. Longhi was also an accomplished printmaker, particularly in etching. His etching technique showed an awareness of Rembrandt's work, and he used this skill to reproduce his and his father's paintings. In 1762, he published Compendio delle vite de' pittori veneziani istorici più rinomati del presente secolo, a biographical dictionary of contemporary Venetian painters that is still an important resource for art historians. Longhi illustrated the book with etched portraits of the artists. The portrait of Carlo Goldoni: One of his most celebrated paintings is his portrait of the Venetian playwright and librettist Carlo Goldoni. For his election to the Venetian Academy, he painted this allegory, which features a personified figure of Painting. His known portraits include Portrait of a Lady (Uffizi Gallery, Florence), Portrait of a Musician, and various portraits of Venetian nobles and officials. I have included further albeit identical biographies of Alessandro Longhi. Alessandro Longhi (born June 12, 1733, Venice—died 1813, Venice) was a painter, etcher, and biographer of Venetian artists, and was the most important Venetian portrait painter of his day. The son of the painter Pietro Longhi, he was given his first training by his father, who quite soon put him to study under the portrait painter Giuseppe Nogari. In 1759 he was elected a member of the Venetian academy, for which he painted one of his rare allegorical pictures, “Painting and Merit.” In 1762 Longhi issued his book Compendio delle Vite de’ Pittori Veneziani Istorici piu rinomati del presente secolo con sui ritratti dal naturale delineati ed indisi, one of the most important source books for the history of Venetian 18th-century painting. Both portraits and text were printed from plates he etched. Longhi’s facilely rendered portraits are largely generalized likenesses lacking any acuity of character observation. He mainly portrayed the leading Venetian luminaries and dignitaries of his day in a style that drew upon his father’s Rococo manner and 16th-century traditions of Venetian Renaissance portraiture. The personal details available for the painter Alessandro Longhi are limited, but his biography is intertwined with that of his family and the city of Venice. He was the son of a successful painter, which set his artistic path, and is known for creating sensitive and realistic portraits that captured the social atmosphere of 18th-century Venice. Alessandro was born in Venice in 1733 to the celebrated genre painter Pietro Longhi. He received his early training from his father before studying under another prominent portraitist, Giuseppe Nogari. A contrast to his father: While his father was known for painting scenes of everyday Venetian life, Alessandro focused almost exclusively on portraiture. His skill enabled him to capture the intimate psychology and character of his subjects, a quality especially evident in his portraits of less noble patrons. Election to the academy: In 1759, Alessandro was elected to the Accademia dei Pittori, the Venetian Academy of Painting. His election solidified his reputation as a master of the Rococo style. Beyond painting, Longhi was an accomplished printmaker, primarily producing etchings that reproduced his own works and those of his father. In 1762, he published the Compendio delle vite de' pittori veneziani, a collection of biographies of contemporary Venetian painters, which is an important historical resource. He became a prominent portraitist for Venice's upper class, including nobles and state officials. His official state portraits featured grand, full-length depictions of his subjects in their elaborate robes and emblems of office. Emphasis on realism: In contrast to the stylized nature of official portraits, Alessandro was praised for the "reality" he captured in works featuring common people. For example, his 1760 portrait of an innkeeper was celebrated for its realistic subject matter and "nuova maniera" (new manner). The art historian Olimpia Theodoli noted that Longhi's etching technique showed he had a firsthand knowledge of Rembrandt's work. Among his more famous works are a sensitive portrait of playwright Carlo Goldoni and the painting Portrait of a Wine Butler. He also produced religious and allegorical works, including paintings of the "Apostles" for the church of San Pantalon in Venice. This painting has been carefully conserved and the frame also, the frame looks to be original to the picture but we have no way of confirming this but we believe it to be so. 18th Century Italian portraits...

Benedetto Luti (Florence, Italy, 1666 - Rome, Italy, 1724) Title: Head of a Girl Medium: Oil pastel on canvas Dimensions: without frame 28 x 23.5 cm - with frame 38.5 x 33.5 cm Origi...

"House Cleaning in Preparation for the New Year" - Japanese Woodblock on Paper House cleaning scene by Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806). This print was originally published around 1796-1799, with this example being a later reprint. The full scene is five sheets - there are two more sheets to the right that show more members of the house. However, it is these three sheets that contain the majority of the action - a maid sweeping at a mouse, a lady fainting, and a painting moved aside to allow for cleaning. Presented in a new black mat. Mat size: 24"H x 38"W Paper size: 17.75"H x 33"W Print Impression: 14.63"H x 29.5"W Utamaro Kitagawa...

We have the full series of 52 prints from Vita Passio et Resurrectio Iesu Christi listed. To find the others scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all fro...

Still life painting of fruit in a basket Continental, c. 1800 Frame: Height 81cm, width 91cm, depth 7cm Canvas: Height 57cm, width 69cm, ...

Etching on thin, cream laid paper 4 x 3 5/8 inches (100 x 90 mm), with narrow margins, trimmed inside the platemark. Adhesive residue at the top right and left corners, and archival ...

Oil on Canvas. L'opera riprende i modi diffusi in tutta Europa da Jakob Ferdinand Voet, pittore fiammingo affermatosi soprattutto come ritrattista, che ebbe ampio seguito sia negli ...

Oil on Canvas. L'opera riprende i modi diffusi in tutta Europa da Jakob Ferdinand Voet, pittore fiammingo affermatosi soprattutto come ritrattista, che ebbe ampio seguito sia negli ...

Oil on Canvas. L'opera riprende i modi diffusi in tutta Europa da Jakob Ferdinand Voet, pittore fiammingo affermatosi soprattutto come ritrattista, che ebbe ampio seguito sia negli a...

Engraving on light wove paper with a large Amsterdam Coat of Arms watermark, 9 5/16 x 7 1/2 inches (236 x 190 mm), narrow margins. Scattered lig...

This exceptional and rare rendering of a horse head, composed of gold over silver, hails from the illustrious Tang dynasty of China. The powerful Tang dynasty reigned for nearly 300 ...

Figures Resting By A Fountain, Roman Capriccio, 18th Century circle of GIOVANNI PAOLO PANINI (1691-1765) - one of a set of 6 Capriccios Huge 18th Century Italian Capriccio of figur...

This very rare, first edition, folio hand-colored engraving of an eagle is plate 215 from Ulisse Aldrovandi’s 'Opera Omnia', published between 1599 a...

"The Heidelberg Tun" is a 17th century engraving by an unknown artist. It depicts a famous huge ornamental wine cask that resided in the wine cellar of Heidelberg Castle. The cask shown here, built in 1664, is the second of four Heidelberg Tuns; the first was destroyed during the Thirty Years' War, between 1618 and 1648. This cask was built in 1664 when Karl Ludwig ordered Heidelberg cellar master...

Portrait after Raphael is an etching realized by Nicholas Cochin in 1755. Signed in the plate. Good conditions with foxing and folding. The artwork is depicted through confident s...

Etching realized in 1771. It belongs to the first edition of the suite "Histoire Naturelle de Buffon". Good conditions with slight foxing.

London: Allen & West, 1797. Engraving with hand coloring in watercolor on cream wove paper, 8 1/8 x 10 5/8 inches (213 x 270 mm), wide margins. Scattered toning, mat tone, and dog-e...

This is an 18th century mezzotint portrait of Elizabeth, Countess of Northumberland, Baroness Percy by Richard Houston after a painting by Joshua Reynolds, published in London by Robert Sayer in 1763. It is a rare, full length portrait of Elizabeth, who was known as Lady Betty. Lady Betty stands, facing to the right, holding her coronet, and wearing her peeress’s ermine and velvet robes over a brocade dress. In the background are a column, a billowing drape, and the grounds of Alnwick Castle...

Charming tavern scene depicting drunken peasants enjoying dancing and drinking in front a farmhouse/ tavern in a landscape. Painted in great detail in vivid colors on a hand cut oak ...

This framed hand colored stipple engraving and etching portrait of William Warham, Archbishop of Canterbury under King Henry VII and his son King Henry VIII was created by Francesco Bartolozzi (1728–1815) after a drawing and a painting by Hans Holbein (1497-1543), who was Henry VIII's court painter. The print was published in London by John Chamberlaine in 1795. The print was created utilizing stipple engraving and etching techniques by the Italian artist Francesco Bartolozzi, who was employed as the royal engraver by King George III of England. The publisher, John Chamberlaine, was Keeper of the King's Drawings and Medals. The inscription beneath the portrait reads" "In His Majesty's Collection", "Engraved by F. Bartolozzi R A Historical Engraver to His Majesty'' in the lower right, and ''From an original drawing by Hans Holbien'' in the lower left. The original painting by Holbein is displayed at Lambeth Castle and the original drawing is in the art collection at Windsor Castle. The engraving is held by many museums, including: The British Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The National Portrait Gallery, The Chicago Art Institute and The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. This portrait depicts Archbishop William Warham facing to his right, wearing a black cap covering his ears and fur trimmed clerical robes. The print is presented in a decorative gold-colored wood frame with a blue-grey fabric mat. The frame measures 26.5" x 20.13" x 1". The print is in excellent condition. William Warham (1450-1532) was the last of the pre-Reformation archbishops of Canterbury, serving under King Henry VII and then under King Henry VIII. He was a quiet, unassuming intellectual whose career ended with a strong and brave stance against the divorce of King Henry VIII and the king's resultant withdrawal of England from the Catholic church and his draconian actions against the clergy. As Lord Chancellor...

Etching on cream laid paper, 4 5/8 x 3 1/2 inches (118 x 89 mm), thread margins. Laid down to a medium weight laid support, scattered nicks and corner wear. The top and bottom corner...

Engraving on cream laid paper laid down to wove paper, 4 1/4 x 2 5/8 inches (109 x 68), trimmed inside the platemark. Scattered discoloration and uniform age tone, all consistent wit...

Four table sculptures - Concertino with musicians and singer. Venice, late 18th century. 9 x 7 x h 20 cm each. Entirely in wood, finely carved and painted in polychrome. Condition...

Mythological Scene is a mixed colored painting on board realized by Anonymous artist in the XVIII century. The artwork represents a mythological scene with women and cherubs. Inclu...

'Benj. West RA' Soft ground etching by William Daniell RA (1769-1837) after George Dance the Younger (1741-1825), 1809. Benjamin West PRA (1738 – 1820) was an Anglo-American painter of historical scenes around and after the time of the American War of Independence...

'Different Profils Pour Les Bordures de Glaces avec leurs Ornements' French copper-line engraving by Michelinot after Andre Jacob Roubo (1739–1791). 18th century laid watermarked pa...

Pair of scagliola sculptures - Double-tailed winged sirens. Italy, 17th century. 60 x 45 x h 100 cm each. Made entirely of scagliola, these replicas are statues from a Baroque vill...

Rococo design for a gate, etching, by Joseph Baumann (active 1740-1760), circa 1750. Published by Martin Engelbrecht (1684–1756). Similar works ar...

Etching realized by Jean Charles Baquoy in 1771. It belongs to the first edition of the suite "Histoire Naturelle de Buffon". Good conditions with slight foxing.

Complete series of 20 original black and white etchings on oblong folio and laid paper, in first state before numeration. On frontispiece with date “1763”, dedication to Prince Marco Foscareno and name and address of Ludovico Furlanetto. Each plate is titled and signed on plate "Jo. Bap. Brustoloni sculp." on the lower right margin. Complete title of the series: Prospectuum aedium, viarumque insigniorum Urbis venetiarum nautico certamine, ac nundinis adiectis. Tomus Primus, tabulas XII complectens, quas Antonius Canale coloribus expressit – Joannes Baptista Brustolon aere incidit. Serenissimo Principi D.D. Marco Foscareno Egregio, emerito, sapientissimo Augustae Republicae Duci D.D.D. Anno AE C. 1763 ab V.C. 1341. This series is considered the most important one by Brustolon after Canaletto (from the engravings of Visentini), and was edited in a first version of 12 tables and in a second version of 22 tables. However, Succi affirms that the I state series includes just 20 tables, and the missing two vary from suite to suite so that this series can be considered complete. Very fresh and bright sheets in wide margins, with restored little tear on 4 sheets and a very light vertical fold on center. Papers show the following watermarks: Big cartouche with half-moon Big cartouche with letters “FO” and “AS” Bound and ripples on paper. In detail: Prospectuum Aedium Viarumque Insignorum Ubis Venetiarum is one of the finest of Venetian topographical print suites, equal in relevance to the publications of Carlevarijs, Canaletto-Visentini, and Marieschi, preciously rare, especially in the first edition (of four) with all plates in first state and in excellent state of preservation. Ten of its twenty vedute of the Serenessima derive from the paintings of Canaletto, drawn and engraved by Antonio Visentini, adapted to a larger size by Brustolon. The Bellunese artist extended the views and enriched the landscapes with new objects and figures that animate the scenes. Other four views are deeply inspired by Michele...

Etching realized by Jean Charles Baquoy in 1771. It belongs to the first edition of the suite "Histoire Naturelle de Buffon". Good conditions with slight foxing.

Hand colored original engraving from the Academie de l’Espee ( full title can be translated as Academy of the Sword: wherein is demonstrated by mathematical rules on the foundation of a mysterious circle the theory and practice of the true and heretofore unknown secrets of handling arms on foot and horseback ) by Girard Thibault...

Tuscan Proverbs 3 is an original etching realized by Carlo Lasinio in 1786. Etching and watercolour technique, in good conditions, except for some stains on the back of the yellowed...

'Chateau Valeri' Copper-line engraving by Matthaeus Merian. From 'Topographia Galliae', a fine series of engravings of 17th-century French landscapes, gardens, buildings and citie...

After Giovanni Antonio Canal, called Canaletto Copper plate engraving with hand coloring on cream laid paper with the Arms of France watermark (a crown in shield topped by a fleur-de-lys and the letters GR), 22 3/4 x 15 3/4 inches (576 x 400 mm), wide to full margins. Multiple vertical and horizontal creases from folding and rolling; none appear to be particularly hard, there is however some associated cockeling. While there is some minor mat tone visible around the perimeter of the sheet, the extensive handcoloring remains extremely fresh and saturated in the intended areas. There are edge tears at each the right and left sheet edge (outside of the image area) due to an improper effort to mount the sheet to a mat. Otherwise in very good condition with all issues being consistent with age. The print is wrongly titled "The South East Prospect of Westminster Bridge...

This etching on laid paper is the 13th plate of the series of 27 entitled Idee pittoresche sopra la fugga in Egitto di Giesù, Maria e Gioseppe executed by Giambattista Tiepolo and pu...

References: Blum 38 II/IV Robert-Dumesnil 17 I/III Russell 49 II/IV Mannocci 42 IIb/III

Etching realized in 1771. It belongs to the first edition of the suite "Histoire Naturelle de Buffon". Good conditions with slight foxing.

Two minor villains from "Medley of Tales of Revenge" square off, as performed at the Kiri theatre, Tokyo, in May of 1794. Toyko: Tsutaya Juzaburo, 1794. Woodblock (nishiki-e) with ...

A Man of the Sandwich Islands Dancing (Hawaii) is from the 1784 First Edition Atlas Accompanying Capt. James Cook and King; Third and Final Voyage of Captain James Cook. John Webber (1752-1793) was the official artist for the third voyage of Captain James Cook (1728-1779). The purpose of this voyage was to discover the Northwest Passage and to explore the Pacific Ocean north of the Equator. These engravings were published in 1784-85 by G. Nichol and Thomas Cadell of London in the four large format atlas, Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. Captain Cook was an extraordinary explorer known for discovering and mapping unknown territory and for his many contributions to the scientific world. These original engravings from Webber’s drawings and paintings are only a glimpse into this great man’s historical contributions that make him one of the greatest explorers of all times. This image shows a Hawaiian dancer...

Etching on cream laid paper, 6 7/8 x 10 7/8 inches (175 x 275 mm), thin margins. Some minor surface soiling and paper tape residue in four areas along the top sheet edge, verso, othe...

Crispin van de Passe The Younger (c. 1594-1670) Grand Écuyer de France or Grand Squire of France, c. 1620-1660 Engraving Sight: 11 3/4 x 15 3/4 in. Framed: 18 3/4 x 22 5/8 in. Crisp...

'Shooting - Plate II', engraving from George Stubb's famous set of four shooting engravings. Copper-line engraving with later hand-colouring by William...

An exalted portrait of fellow Flemish engraver and publisher Karel van Mallery. Lucas Vorsterman the Elder (after Anthony van Dyck). Carolus de Mallery, from Icones Principum Viror...

Etching on cream laid paper, full margins. Trimmed at the plate mark. Scattered light caramel colored areas of discoloration in the sheet corners, light skinning on the verso at the ...

Provenance: Robert L. and Bertina Suida Manning, New York, until 1996 Private Collection, USA Giovanni Battista Viola was born in Bologna a...

This is an original 18th century hand-colored map entitled "A New & Accurate Map of The Whole Russian Empire, As Contain'd Both In Europe and Asia, Drawn from Authentic Journals, Sur...

"Crucifixion" is an etching and aquatint, printed in brown ink by Conrad M. Metz after a painting by Daniele da Volterra. It was published in London in 1789 in 'Imitations Of Ancient...

Richly decorated on the side and with finely sculpted female faces, these carved stone architectural brackets are a great example of the Tuscan production of the late 16th Century. O...

Judith Grasping The Head Of Holofernes By The Hair And Looking To The Left, and Old Woman to the Right. circa 1640 Etching on cream laid paper with a foolscap watermark, 10 x 7 inche...

Etching, engraving and stippling on cream laid paper with an indiscernible watermark in the sheet center, 11 15/16 x 8 3/16 inches (302 x 207 mm), trimmed at the plate mark. A very g...

The Hague: circa 1799. Engraving with burin on cream laid paper, 7 7/8 x 13 inches (198 x 330 mm) full margins. Octavo fold with additional hard creases with an associated loss in t...

The Study of Hand after Bouchardon is an etching realized by Nicholas Cochin in 1755. Signed on the plate. Good conditions. The artwork is depicted through confident strokes. The...

Etching on cream laid paper. 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch margins. In good condition with a band of minor discoloration along top and bottom sheet edge verso. One circular 1.5 inch- sized ar...

Macedonia is an ancient map realized in 1650 by Johannes Janssonius (1588-1664). The Map is Hand-colored etching, with coeval watercoloring. Good condit...

Four plates from The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers. “Wolfsmelk Rupsen;" “Wolfsmilch, Raupe und Schmetterling" Amsterdam: J F Bernard, 1730. Each an engraving with hand coloring in watercolor and gouache printed on one sheet of watermarked Honig cream laid paper, each measures 6 1/4 x 5 inches (157 x 121 mm), sheet measures 20 5/8 x 14 inches (522 x 355 mm), full margins. With handling creases in the lower right sheet quadrant, as well as minor, loose cockling, otherwise in very good condition. The colors are superb with exceptionally fresh and bright saturation. Engraved between 1679 and 1683, printed 1730. Plates included: LIV, LV, LVI, & LVII. MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN was one of the most highly respected entomologists of the 17th century, and remains today one of the field's most significant figures. A German-born naturalist and scientific illustrator, she reared herself on the study of caterpillars, and made tremendous contributions to the knowledge of the life cycles of numerous species. Until her detailed and careful study of the process of metamorphosis it was thought that insects were "born of mud," through spontaneous generation. Trained as a miniature painter by her stepfather, she published her first book of illustrations in 1675, at the age of 28. In 1679, Merian published the first volume of the two-volume series on caterpillars, The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers; the second volume followed in 1683. Each volume contained 50 plates that she engraved and etched. In 1699, Merian traveled to Dutch Guiana...