| Method | Copper engraving with original hand colouring |
| Artist | Marco Sebastiano Giampiccoli after Antonio Canaletto |
| Published | Antonius Canaletto delin. Venetiis apud Giampiccoli et inc. [c.1750] |
| Dimensions | Image 197 x 319 mm, Plate 233 x 322 mm, Sheet 323 x 416 mm |
| Notes |
A view of the Church of the Holy Apostles of Christ, known colloquially as San Apostoli, in the Cannaregio sestiere of Venice. In the foreground, gondoliers bring goods up the canal, a market stall on the bridge sells pots and pans, and numerous groups of people wander the square or sit on the stairs by the canal. The Chiesa dei Santi Apostoli di Christo is one of the earliest churches in the city of Venice, having been founded by St Magnus in the 7th century. The church has gained numerous additions since that time, including the celebrated Capella Cornaro, which contains the tomb of Catherine, Queen of Cyprus. Beneath the engraving, a lined inscription space featuring a coat of arms translates the title of the work into French and Italian: 'La Place des S.S. Apotres / La Piazza de S.S. Appostoli.' Below, a dedication in Latin reads: 'Hieronymo Grimani Patricio Veneto Viro P.Ac Senatori Amplissimo, Quod Litteras et Bonas Artes Consilio Suo Fovendas Susceperit. Marcus Sebast. Giampiccoli Opellam Hanc Patrono. B.M.D.D.D.' Marco Sebastiano Giampiccoli (1737 - 1809) was a Venetian engraver, printmaker, and publisher. The son of the engraver Giuliano Giampiccoli, and grandson of the painter Marco Ricci, Giampiccoli specialised in landscapes, particularly of Venice and the Veneto. Where his father had largely gained a reputation engraving views after the paintings of Marco Ricci, Giampiccoli not only drew on the work of other artists, but also prepared plates from his own drawings and designs. His most desirable works are a series of 20 views of Venice engraved after paintings by Canaletto. Despite his relative success as an engraver, the final years of Giampiccoli's life were plagued by economic concerns, and he died in poverty, having sold the majority of his works and equipment to his father's former partner, Remondini Bassano. Giovanni Antonio Canal, known colloquially as Canaletto (18th October 1697 - 19th April 1768) was an Italian painter and printmaker. Canaletto is celebrated as the master of Venetian vedute, being one of the most popular artists for British aristocrats on the Grand Tour. Canaletto's major inspiration were the Roman vedute and capricci of Giovanni Paolo Pannini. Although best known for his paintings, Canaletto also produced a number of etchings, including a series of 30 plates of Venice and its surrounds. The interest in Canaletto's work in Britain was great, spurred by the collections of various British nobles, and especially by George III, who amassed a significant number for the Royal Collection. As a result, prints of Canaletto's vedute were in high demand. Condition: Numerous small creases and slight foxing to sheet and image. Central vertical crease. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £180.00 |
| Stock ID | 37578 |