ars libri ltd.
rare and scholarly books
on the fine arts
ars libri ltd.
rare and scholarly books
on the fine arts
Early Art Literature Exhibited at the International Fine Art Fair
51
WEIROTTER, FRANZ EDMUND, et al.
A Sammelband of five separate suites of etchings: two by Weirotter, one by Charles-Nicholas Cochin (Cochin fils), one unsigned, and one further (incomplete) signed P.P., after F.A. Simonini, Antonio Tempesta, Aureliano Milani, and P.F.Calza. Oblong 4to. Very fine contemporary German half calf, handsomely gilt at spine; exceptional marbled endpapers. From the libraries of Jean Furstenberg (with his ex-libris) and Otto Schäfer. The gifted and short-lived paysagiste Franz Edmund Weirotter (1730-1771) was born in Innsbruck and studied with J.G. Wille in Paris; he travelled after to Italy, returning with a great many sketches, and was appointed professor at the Vienna Academy in 1767. His work is unjustly neglected, as Bénézit, among others, has remarked ("Ce charmante artiste, très injustement délaissé, possède une forme très personnelle et fort intéressant"). These suites precede the collected edition of Weirotter which was published in 1775 by Basan, and the impressions are often much superior, particularly the two very striking mezzotint compositions in the second suite. The emulation of Rembrandt in both suites is unmistakable, and extremely interesting in its own right. Contents as follows:
1. Weirotter, Franz Edmund. Suite de paysages. Dédié à Monsieur Wille, Graveur du Roi, de l’Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture.... 12 through-numbered original etchings, the first signed "Dessinés d’après nature et gravés par Fr. E. Weirotter. Plate size: 95 x 182 mm. to 120 x 200 mm. (4 5/8 x 7 7/8 inches). 2 through-numbered original etchings, the first signed "Dessinés d’après nature et gravés par Fr. E. Weirotter. Plate size: 95 x 182 mm. to 120 x 200 mm. (4 5/8 x 7 7/8 inches).
2. Weirotter, Franz Edmund. XII. vues de la Normandie. Dédiéea [sic] à Monsieur Brillon Duperon, Ecuyer. 12 through-numbered original etchings (two with mezzotint), the first signed "Dessiné d’après nature et gravé par F.E. Weirotter," and the rest "F.E. Weirotter fecit." Plate size (varying slightly from oblong to squarer format): 152 x 157 mm. to 155x 210 mm. (5 7/8 x 8 1/4 inches).
3. Cochin [Charles-Nicholas, Cochin fils]. Livre de paysages, gravé d’apres Mr. Cochin. 1758. 8 through-numbered plates with 29 original etchings after Cochin, including the title and 28 etchings arranged four to the page thereafter, each image individually signed "Cochin in." Plate size of title etching: 150 x 194 mm. (5 7/8 x 7 5/8 inches); image size of each of the etchings grouped on the following pages (within comprehensive platemark): 57 x 80 mm. (2 1/4 x 3 1/8 inches). Paris (Chés la Ve. de F. Chéreau, rue St. Jacques aux 2 Piliers d’Or), 1758
4. Unsigned. A suite of 10 through-numbered etchings of Roman ruins, printed in pairs, on five plates (bound out of sequence). Each plate has been trimmed close to the platemarks at the end of the pair, and then mounted in the album. Image size ranges from 82 x 63 mm. to 109 x 95 mm.(4 1/2 x 3 3/4 inches). This very interesting suite opens with a memento mori allegory with putto, skeleton holding an hourglass, and a wall clock; following this are images of ruinous triumphal arches and monuments. It is very sensitively drawn. In more than one respect the series is quite reminiscent of Hubert Robert’s "Les soirées de Rome" and the little book by Louis Subleyras, "Nella veduta in Roma di madame le Comte e dei signori Watelet e Copette," both of which commemorate a visit by Weirotter, Watelet and others in their circle to the Accademia di San Luca in 1764. It may well be the work of someone in the Watelet entourage.
5. Untitled suite of battle pieces, military subjects and genre compositions by "P.P.," after Antonio Tempesta (4), Francesco Simonini (13), Aureliano Milani, and Francesco Calza (4). 22 plates of a through-numbered sequence up to 29, inconsistently designated but apparently integral, each trimmed to small margins and mounted. Plate size: ca. 120 x 170 mm. (4 3/4 x 6 3/4 inches). The etcher is presumably Bolognese, like all of the foregoing except Tempesta. The Simonini genre compositions are exceptional.
Bologna (Luigi Guidotti), n.d. $6,500.00
52
ZOBI, ANTONIO.
Notizie storiche sull’origine e progressi dei lavori di commesso in pietre dure che si eseguiscono nell’I. e R. Stabilimento di Firenze. Seconda edizione, con aggiunte e correzioni dell’autore. 352pp. (mispaginated). 2 lithographic plates hors texte, superbly finished by hand in colors and gold (1 varnished). 4to. Publisher’s printed blue boards (somewhat worn and chipped). The quality of the finished plates is exceptionally brilliant. A little waterstained at top.
Firenze, 1853. $1,000.00
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