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Engraving ‘…Adonis’

Engraving ‘Venus, the Three Graces, and Cupid Mourning the Death of Adonis’ by Etienne Delaune, circa 1569...

Copper engraving ‘Venus, the Three Graces and Cupid Mourning the Death of Adonis’ by Etienne Delaune (1518/19 - 1583 Paris), after a composition by Luca Penni. c1569, Robert Dumesnil 102.

The lower sections depicts Adonis as he lays dying in a forest landscape, his hunting spear and horn at his side, the wild boar that gored him fleeing from the left side of the scene. Above, separated by a horizontal line of rolling clouds, are three groups mourning the scene from the heavens: on the left are the three graces, their hands wrung in despair; at center is Venus, tearing at her hair in anguish; and on the right is Cupid, breaking his arrows in frustration.

‘L PEN INV’ in the upper right. Signed and dated lower center ‘STE F 1569’.

Trimmed just outside the plate mark with a small border. A nice clear impression, a bit on the lighter side.

Excellent condition overall. Some light browning. Annotations in pencil on the reverse.

Presented attached at the top edge by 2 rice paper hinges (so verso can be inspected) to an acid-free mounting board.

I love this complex engraving – it includes so much subject matter in a miniature print. Finely detailed.

Dimensions:
Height: 39 mm
Width: 55 mm

370 Euros

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