FICORINI, Francesco de' (1664-1747). Le Maschere Sceniche e le Figure Comiche d'Antichi Romani . Rome: Antonio de Rossi, 1736.
FICORINI, Francesco de' (1664-1747). Le Maschere Sceniche e le Figure Comiche d'Antichi Romani . Rome: Antonio de Rossi, 1736. 4 o (272 x 202 mm). Half-title with engraved vignette, 85 engraved plates (one double-page), some signed by Francesco Mazzoni and Silvester Pomiarede, woodcut tail-pieces. (Plate 40 with circular repair affecting image border.) Original paper-backed marbled boards, manuscript paper label on spine, uncut (some light chipping). Provenance : acquired from Ben Weinreb, 1985. FIRST EDITION of one of the earliest works to recognize the importance of theatrical masks and the role they have played in the visual arts. The various forms have had wide application in architectural decoration in the Mediterranean from Greek titmes, when they were applied to the keystones and shoulders of arches. They persisted in similar places as the residue of the classical past, particularly in bosses, capitals, label stops and corbels of Romanesque and gothic buildings. They further evolved in the Mannerist period when they became identified with functional elements, and are ubiquitous in every type of arabesque and grotesque decoration. Here they are shown on antique bas-reliefs, gems, medals, terra-cottas, lamps and cameos. Ficorini was a disciple of Bellori and an archeologist who wrote many works on Italian antiquities. [ With: ] FICORINI, Francesco de'. [Spine title:] "Diversi Disegni di Ficorini." An album of 214 drawings on 139 sheets of subjects for Le Maschere Sceniche e le Figure Comiche d'Antichi Romani . [Presumably Rome, ca 1735/6]. 4 o (269 x 163 mm). Original pen and ink drawings, mostly in red chalk, the majority with identifying inscriptions. Contemporary Italian vellum, uncut. Provenance : Inscribed "Lot 139" on front cover and front free endpaper; "Probably Hon. Edward Bouverie, and by descent" (sold Christie's London, Important Old Master Drawings, 10 April 1985, lot 68A); acquired from Ars Libri, 1985. Ficorini was one of the leading antiquaries of his generation and formed a very large collection of small antiquities, including the celebrated engraved bronze urn, the Cista Ficorini , now in Villa Giulia, Rome. He wrote a number of books and a topographical survey of the area round his home town, Lignano Valmonte, the ancient Labico, in Lazio. He acted as agent to a number of English travelers, including the 4th Earl of Carlisle, with whom he corresponded in 1740-6 and for whom he secured both statuary and gems. His own collection was dispersed after his death. Another album of Ficorini's drawings for Le maschere seniche e le figure d'antichi romani was part of the Hofer bequest to Harvard. If contains 207 red chalk drawings on 65 leaves. It is unclear whether the two albums are preliminary drawings, or were made after the engravings. (2)
FICORINI, Francesco de' (1664-1747). Le Maschere Sceniche e le Figure Comiche d'Antichi Romani . Rome: Antonio de Rossi, 1736.
FICORINI, Francesco de' (1664-1747). Le Maschere Sceniche e le Figure Comiche d'Antichi Romani . Rome: Antonio de Rossi, 1736. 4 o (272 x 202 mm). Half-title with engraved vignette, 85 engraved plates (one double-page), some signed by Francesco Mazzoni and Silvester Pomiarede, woodcut tail-pieces. (Plate 40 with circular repair affecting image border.) Original paper-backed marbled boards, manuscript paper label on spine, uncut (some light chipping). Provenance : acquired from Ben Weinreb, 1985. FIRST EDITION of one of the earliest works to recognize the importance of theatrical masks and the role they have played in the visual arts. The various forms have had wide application in architectural decoration in the Mediterranean from Greek titmes, when they were applied to the keystones and shoulders of arches. They persisted in similar places as the residue of the classical past, particularly in bosses, capitals, label stops and corbels of Romanesque and gothic buildings. They further evolved in the Mannerist period when they became identified with functional elements, and are ubiquitous in every type of arabesque and grotesque decoration. Here they are shown on antique bas-reliefs, gems, medals, terra-cottas, lamps and cameos. Ficorini was a disciple of Bellori and an archeologist who wrote many works on Italian antiquities. [ With: ] FICORINI, Francesco de'. [Spine title:] "Diversi Disegni di Ficorini." An album of 214 drawings on 139 sheets of subjects for Le Maschere Sceniche e le Figure Comiche d'Antichi Romani . [Presumably Rome, ca 1735/6]. 4 o (269 x 163 mm). Original pen and ink drawings, mostly in red chalk, the majority with identifying inscriptions. Contemporary Italian vellum, uncut. Provenance : Inscribed "Lot 139" on front cover and front free endpaper; "Probably Hon. Edward Bouverie, and by descent" (sold Christie's London, Important Old Master Drawings, 10 April 1985, lot 68A); acquired from Ars Libri, 1985. Ficorini was one of the leading antiquaries of his generation and formed a very large collection of small antiquities, including the celebrated engraved bronze urn, the Cista Ficorini , now in Villa Giulia, Rome. He wrote a number of books and a topographical survey of the area round his home town, Lignano Valmonte, the ancient Labico, in Lazio. He acted as agent to a number of English travelers, including the 4th Earl of Carlisle, with whom he corresponded in 1740-6 and for whom he secured both statuary and gems. His own collection was dispersed after his death. Another album of Ficorini's drawings for Le maschere seniche e le figure d'antichi romani was part of the Hofer bequest to Harvard. If contains 207 red chalk drawings on 65 leaves. It is unclear whether the two albums are preliminary drawings, or were made after the engravings. (2)
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
