About this sheet
Original 18th-century Italian portrait etching depicting Benedetto Menzini (1646–1704), the celebrated Florentine priest, poet and literary figure.
Menzini is portrayed seated with an open book, above an elaborate Italian inscription describing him as a distinguished Tuscan poet. The portrait was etched by Carlo Faucci after a drawing by Giuliano Traballesi and is dated 1769 in the plate.
The work belongs to a series of portraits of famous Italians with coats of arms in the lower margin, produced by several Italian printmakers including Carlo and Raimondo Faucci and Francesco Allegrini.
An elegant example of 18th-century Italian portraiture, retaining particularly generous original margins.
PRINTMAKER: Carlo Faucci (1729–1784)
AFTER: Giuliano Traballesi (1727–1812)
SITTER: Benedetto Menzini (1646–1704)
DATE: 1769, dated in the plate
MEDIUM: Original etching on paper
ORIGIN: Italy
PLATE SIZE:
29.8 × 20 cm
11.7 × 7.9 inches
CATALOGUE REFERENCE:
Le Blanc 51
PERIOD / STYLE:
18th Century
Neoclassical
Italian portraiture
CONDITION:
Very good antique condition. The sheet retains broad margins with light age-related toning, occasional minor spotting and some light handling and creasing toward the edges. The etched image itself remains clean and well defined.
Please examine the photographs carefully as they form an integral part of the condition description.
FRAMING:
Offered unframed. Any framed or interior images shown are for presentation and inspiration only.
AUTHENTICITY:
Original antique etching dating from 1769. This is not a modern reproduction.
KEYWORDS:
Benedetto Menzini, Carlo Faucci, Giuliano Traballesi, Italian poet, Florentine poet, Italian literature, 1769 etching, 18th century portrait, Neoclassical portrait, Italian portrait, antique etching, writer portrait, poet portrait, priest portrait, Florence, Rome, Le Blanc 51, Old Master print
