Picturæ Dominici Zampierii Vulgo Domenichino Quæ Extant In Sacello Sacræ Ædi Cryptoferratensi Adjuncto Nunc Primum Tabulis Æneis Incisæ.
RA Collection: Book
Record number
05/881
Imprint
Romæ: MDCCLXII., Ex Chalcographia R.C.A. Superiorum facultate.
Physical Description
[iv], viii p., frontis. (port.), 28 [i.e. 45] pl. (five pl. are dble.): illus.; 504 mm.
General Note
Of the numbered plates eight consist of two prints each (viz. nos. 10-13, 22, 23, 27, 28), and three consist of four prints each (viz. nos. 24-26). The double pl. are nos. 1, 3-6.
The frontispiece portrait of Cardinal Carlo Rezzonico is unsigned. (It may be copied from the portrait by Mengs.) All other plates carry the name of the source-artist, D. Zampieri, and that of the draughtsman, N. Vanni (except pl. 25, 26, which are unsigned by a draughtsman). All except pl. 25, 26 are signed by an engraver - F. Bartolozzi, P.A. Pazzi, A. Capellan or C. Gregori.
The title-page vignette is signed as engraved by I. Carolus Mallia; the tailpiece of the dedication as engraved by Bald. Gabbuggiani. The headpiece of the main text is signed as drawn by [name illegible] and engraved by Maximilian Limpach; its tailpiece as drawn by 'A.R.' and engraved by 'L.B.S.'.
The 'R.C.A.' of the imprint refers to the Reverenda Camera Apostolica of the Catholic Church. The Chalcographia is today the Calcografia Nazionale of Italy.
The work is dedicated by Xaverius Canale, 'Pontificii Ærarii Præfectus', to Cardinal Carlo Rezzonico.
Summary Note
A publication-date of '175~' is carried by plate 8.
The frescoes shown here were commissioned from Domenichino by Cardinal Odoardo Farnese for the abbey at Grottaferrata, and were painted between 1608 and 1610. The abbey, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, was founded by St. Nilus of Rossano (Calabria) in 1004, and still follows many eastern traditions. The plates of the frescoes show: 1. The Virgin with S. Nilus and S. Batholomew; 2-5. S. Nilus; 6, 7. S. Bartholomew; 8. S. Natalia; 9. S. Hadrian; 10-13. Faith, Hope, Charity, Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance, Fame; 14-21. Saints Gregory Nazianzen, Athanasius, John Damascene, Basil, John Chrysostom, Cyril, Gregory of Nyssa, Nicolas; 22. the Annunciation; 23. Sts. Eustathius, Edward; 24. the four Evangelists; 25, 26. putti with candles and incense; 27. God the Father, S. Francesca Romana; 28. S. Cecilia, S. Agnes.
Provenance
The 18th-century armorial bookplate of Sir John Eliot Bart. is pasted onto the front pastedown.
29 March 1841: 'The Keeper [i.e. George Jones RA] ... submitted ... to the Council ... the following works' ['which he thought desirable for the Library']: The Imperial Gallery of Vienna at £21.0.0; Andrea del Sarto £3.18.0; Domenichino's Frescoes at Grotta Ferrata £2.10.0; Outlines from all the Great Masters £2.10.0; Albert Durers Etchings £4.14.6' (RA Council Minutes, IX, 172-3).
Binding Note
18th-century mottled calf, gilt border on upper and lower covers; rebacked in 20th century, gilt-decorated spine, red morocco spine-label lettered 'Domenichino Grottaferrata'.
Christian art and symbolism - Saints
Paintings, Italian - Frescoes - Mural painting and decoration - Church decoration and ornament - Monasteries - Churches - Abbey churches - Italy - Lazio - Grottaferrata - History - 17th century
Pictorial works - Italy - 18th century