Sanquirico, Alessandro

77 leaves, large oblong folio (394 x 471ms), (watermark: "J. Whatman Turkey Mill 1830"), two calligraphic manuscript titles, 75 FINELY COLOURED AQUATINTS, including neo-classical frontispiece, 73 scenes from operas and ballets at the Teatro alla Scala Milan, engraved by Carlo Sanquirico, Castellini and others after Alessandro Sanquirico, with one plate of costume designs at end, strong, fresh contemporary hand-colour, contemporary panelled calf gilt, Greek-key rolls, thin serrated and solid fillets and neo-classical shields, plates discreetly numbered in pencil, some marks and small stains in the margins (e.g. plates 30, 32), a few very light spots on the plates (nos. 14, 26, 35, 39, 46, 53), some tissue-guards torn or missing, rebacked, corner repaired, tears to covers

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."

An impressive set of contemporary illustrations of exotic stage-sets for operas and ballets produced at La Scala Milan from 1812 until 1832, including important premieres of Bellini's Norma, Rossini's La gazza ladra and also Mozart's La clemenza di Tito.  

Alessandro Sanquirico (1777-1849) was the sole designer and chief painter at La Scala from 1817 until 1832, one of the most important periods in its history. His sets are notable for the introduction of exotic locations and architecture (including in the "Egyptian" style), grandiose neo-classical arcades, subterranean temples and Romantic cataclysms.  There are spectacular designs for scenes set in Ancient Egypt, Babylon, Ancient Greece, Crete, the Ottoman Empire (including Mecca), the Indies and the south-sea island of "La Peyrouse". Eight plates at the end are for Pacini's opera The Last Day of Pompei (1827), depicting the eruption of Vesuvius, including one plate that was the model for Karl Bryiullov's famous & vast painting (1833), now in the State Russian Museum in St Petersburg.