Italian School (18th Century)
Set of Three Classical-Themed Engravings
Engravings on paper, each
19-1/2 x 15-1/2 inches (49.5 x 39.4 cm) (sight, largest)

PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF RICHARD D. BASS, DALLAS, TEXAS

NOTE:
One engraving is the title page from the first edition of Basilius Besler's Hortus Eystettensis, a codex produced by Besler in 1613 of the garden of the bishop of Eichstätt in Bavaria. It was engraved by Wolfgang Kilian.

The second print and third prints are by etchings by Francesco Faraone Aquila (Italian, Palermo 1676-1740 Rome) from the 1704 publication, Raccolta di statve antiche e modern. One is after Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Equestrian Statue of Constantine the Great, Scala Regia in the Vatican Palace, 15 13/16 x 11 7/16 in. (40.1 x 29 cm). (An impression is in the colllection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.) The statue depicts the emperor at the moment when he has his vision of the Holy Cross, right before the battle of the Milvian bridge. The other is the frontispiece, containing a dedication to Pope Clement.

Two of the prints appear to be in good condition, with some light toning, with a vertical repaired tear along the right edge of one; the Hortus Eystettensis print has overall toning and light foxing throughout, scattered handling creases, a small repaired tear at the upper left corner, and a few tears at the lower right with associated paper loss; none of the prints have been examined outside of their frame; matted and frame under glass.  The two smaller prints are framed to 25 x 19.25 inches. Framed Dimensions 28 X 23.5 Inches