Carracci, Agostino ; Correggio, Antonio

Carracci, Agostino ; Correggio, Antonio

CARRACCI, Agostino. After Antonio Correggio Ecce Homo. 1587 Engraving, 37,5 x 26,6 cm, laid paper with watermark (star: Briquet 6089), signed in the plate at lower margin (trimmed to the platemark, lower corners torn with sl. loss of lower text margin, several stains, diagonal crease near the Virgin's hand at lower left, large horiz. fold sl. affecting the image). Stuck by upper corners under passe-partout. Beautiful composition after a painting by Correggio, dedicated to Cardinal Enrico Gaetano, the papal Legate to Bologna. In 1593, this cardinal was described as one of a group of cardinals who were putting together collections of prints. In the same year Agostino also dedicated to him his engraved portrait of Titian. Agostino's engraving was his second after Correggio. The first was the Madonna of St Jerome of 1586. Correggio's work had been little treated in prints. The interest of the Carracci in Correggio, whose work in Parma was easily accessible from Bologna, can be documented from 1580 in two letters from Annibale in Parma addressed to Lodovico in Bologna, that were published by Malvasia (I, pp.268-70). Annibale, full of enthusiasm for the Parmesan painter, was trying to persuade Agostino to make a visit. Agostino, although he reverses the image, has remained close to Correggio's composition. The linear precision of the engraving gives a sculptural quality to the forms, especially notable in the polished ideal beauty of the heads of the Virgin and her attendant. Ref. Bartsch XVIII.20. - Bohlin 143.I. Joined: Jean-Bapt. Poilly. After Dominichino - The holy communion of St Jerome. Engraving, 38 x 24 cm, laid paper, signed at lower margin "Domenichino invento" (laid down on paper mount, trimmed to platemark with thread margins, lower right corner sl. torn). (2 pcs)