Guercino [Barbieri, Giovanni Francesco]

folio (568 x 418mm.), letterpress title with vignette by Ottaviani, additional full-page title by G.B. Piranesi with dedication to Thomas Jenkins, and 32 etchings printed in black and sanguine on 28 sheets, including 23 after Guercino (12 by Bartolozzi, 2 by Nevay, 6 by Ottaviani, 2 by Piranesi and one double page by Piroli), and one large folding plate depicting Christ bearing the cross, each numbered by hand, contemporary vellum backed paper boards, speckled edges, boards worn, large folding plate torn along one fold

Focillon 983-986; Hind p.86; Wilton-Ely 1015-1018; cf. Berlin Catalogue 1878; see Scott, J. Piranesi (1975), p.241

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This intriguing collection of plates was seemingly conceived of by Piranesi in 1764 when he purchased twelve etchings after Guercino from Francesco Bartolozzi, who left for London that year. Before publication, Piranesi added several additional plates, including his own work. At least one of the original Guercino drawings after which these plates were designed was from Piranesi's own collection, whilst the depiction of the old man asleep which is reproduced on his title page belonged to the sculptor Cavaceppi.

As noted by Wilton-Ely, "the group is particularly notable for Piranesi's attempt to reproduce the pictorial quality of Guercino's brush drawings by applying two coloured inks, red and black, simultaneously to the copper plate".

The etched title suggests that the Raccolta was sold at Piranesi's address in the Strada Felice. The other title page, with the Salomoni imprint and the vignette by Ottaviani, seems to have been used to cover various groups of plates, normally including the Piranesi title and the very large folding plate by Aureliano Milani. Including the title page vignette and title etched by Piranesi, in total this volume comprises 13 etchings by Bartolozzi, 6 by Nevay, 7 by Ottaviani, 4 by Piranesi, 2 by Piroli, one by Milani and one by Buratto.