Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 2

Gaspar Van Wittel (Vanvitelli)
Antiquities of Herculaneum Letter V - Etching by Gaspar V. Wittel- 18th Century

Late 18th Century

About the Item

Letter of the Alphabet V, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an etching on paper realized by Gaspare Vanvitelli in the 18th century. Good conditions except for some foxings due to the time. The etching belongs to the print suite “Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed” (original title: “Le Antichità di Ercolano Esposte”), an eight-volume volume of engravings of the finds from the excavation of the ruins of Herculaneum in the Kingdom of Naples (now Campania, Italy). It was published between 1757 and 1792 by the Regia Stamperia, and copies were delivered to selected recipients across Europe. Despite the title, the Antiquity of Herculaneum shows objects from all the excavations undertaken by the Bourbons in the Gulf of Naples. These include Pompeii, Stabia and two sites of Herculaneum: Resina and Portici. The Bourbon King Carlo appointed fifteen scholars creating a new “Herculaneum Academy” to study the artifacts and publish the results of the archaeological excavations of the sites. The engravings are of high quality and the accompanying text shows a large scholarship. They were realized by 25 prominent artists involved by the King to prepare drawings and engravings on the finds, among which we can find Giovanni Elia Morghen, Carlo Nolli, Luigi Vanvitelli and Giovanni Battista Casanova. The “Antiquities” was designed more to amaze readers with the quality of the objects in the collection of the King of Naples than to be used in research., following and increasing the interest of 18th century society for the classical culture and Art in particular. Through the exaltation of the classical concept of proportions and harmony, the book was of inspiration to the neoclassical movement in Europe, giving artists and decorators access to a huge shop of Hellenistic motifs. Ref.: National Gallery (Washington), Mark J. Millard Architectural, IV (2000), no. 1; L. Garcia y Garcia, Nova bibliotheca pompeiana (2 v., 1998); Royal Institute of British Architects, British Architectural Library ... Early printed books, 1 (1994), no. 112. U. Pannuti, 'Incisori e disegnatori della Stamperia Reale di Napoli nel secolo XVIII: la pubblicazione delle Antichità di Ercolano', in Xenia antiqua, 9 (2000), p. 151-178; V. Trombetta, 'L'edizione de Le Antichità di Ercolano esposte' in Rendiconti dell'Accademia di Archeologia, lettere e belle arti di Napoli , 59 (1984), p.151-172.
  • Creator:
    Gaspar Van Wittel (Vanvitelli) (1652 - 1736)
  • Creation Year:
    Late 18th Century
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 2.76 in (7 cm)Width: 2.76 in (7 cm)Depth: 0.08 in (2 mm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
    Insurance may be requested by customers as additional service, contact us for more information.
  • Gallery Location:
    Roma, IT
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: T-1347931stDibs: LU650311173382

More From This Seller

View All
La circoncision dans l'étable - Original Etching by Rembrandt - 1654
By Rembrandt van Rijn
Located in Roma, IT
Rembrandt van Rijn (1696-1669), La circoncision dans l’étable, 1654 Etching on watermarked paper. Beautiful artist’s proof, signed and dated in plate higher-left : “Rembrandt 1654”...
Category

1650s Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

La Pompe Notre Dame
By Charles Meryon
Located in Roma, IT
This original etching is titled and dated on plate. Monogram of the artist "MC" on higher right margin. Edition of 30 prints, 9 State. Very good conditions. Charles Méryon was a Fre...
Category

1850s Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Vaso Cinerario di Gran Mole
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Roma, IT
Artist's proof, printed on antique laid paper, large margins, representing an antique marble vase, whose details are described in the ending note....
Category

1770s Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Veduta degl’Avanzi del Maestoso Ingresso della Villa d’Adriano
By Luigi Rossini
Located in Roma, IT
Entire Title : Veduta degl’Avanzi del Maestoso Ingresso della Villa d’Adriano tre miglia da Tivoli Like G.B.Piranesi, Rossini, well know as the “Piranesi’s heir”, trained as an arch...
Category

1820s Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Avanzi di un Gran Salone nel piano terra della Villa di Mecenate in Tivoli
By Luigi Rossini
Located in Roma, IT
Like G.B.Piranesi, Rossini, well know as the “Piranesi’s heir”, trained as an architect and his etchings have the same tendency to emphasize the massive structure of the Ancient Rome...
Category

1820s Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate... - Etching by Rembrandt - 1659
By Rembrandt van Rijn
Located in Roma, IT
Etching, excellent proof of II state on IV, before the retouching of the ground and the vault on the right, margin line. Ref. Bartsch, Hollstein 94; Hind 301; New Hollstein 312; Sto...
Category

1650s Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

You May Also Like

Set of Two Engravings after Cipriani "Four Muses" & "Father and Two Daughters"
By Francesco Bartolozzi
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Francesco Bartolozzi (Italian, 1727-1815) Title: "Four Muses" & "Father and Two Daughters" Portfolio: Rudiments of Drawing *Issued unsigned, though both are signed by Bartolo...
Category

1780s Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Engraving, Etching

The Roman Colosseum: A Framed 18th Century Etching of the Interior by Piranesi
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
This large framed 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi entitled "Veduta dell'interno dell'Anfiteatro Flavio detto il Colosseo" (View of the interior of the Flavian Amph...
Category

1760s Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

A Framed 18th C. Piranesi Etching of an Ancient Marble Vase from Hadrian's Villa
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
This large framed 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi is entitled "Vaso antico di Marmo adornato di eccellenti Sculture si nella parte anteriere che nell' opposta, le ...
Category

1770s Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Bellos Consejos (Wonderful Advice)
By Francisco Goya
Located in Chicago, IL
An impression from the 1st edition published in 1799, the only edition published during Goya's lifetime. References: Los Caprichos Plate 15; Delteil 52; Harris 50 III.1 Prado ...
Category

18th Century and Earlier Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Aquatint, Etching

Ancient Roman Temple Architecture: An 18th Century Framed Etching by Piranesi
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi entitled "Veduta del Tempio detto della Tosse su la Via Tiburtina, un miglio vicino a Tivoli" (View of the so-called Tem...
Category

1760s Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Ancient Roman Medici Marble Vase: An 18th Century Etching by Piranesi
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
This large 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi is entitled "Vaso antico di Marmo adornato di eccellenti Sculture si nella parte anteriere che nell' opposta, le quail r...
Category

1770s Old Masters Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

Recently Viewed

View All