By Saverio Manetti
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Saverio Manetti (Italian, 1723-1785)
Title: "Sparrowhawk" (Plate XXI - 21)
Portfolio: Storia Naturale Degli Uccelli (The Natural History of Birds)
Year: 1767-1776
Medium: Original Hand-Colored Engraving on watermarked laid paper
Limited edition: Unknown
Printer: Unknown
Publisher: heirs of Francesco Mouck (Vols. I-III), Gaetano Cambiagi (Vol. IV), Giuseppe Vanni (Vol. V), Florence, Italy
Reference: Ayer/Zimmer page 241; Fine Bird Books page 120; McGill/Wood, page 450; Nissen IVB No. 588
Sheet size: 17.88" x 14.07"
Platemark size: 13.69" x 11.69"
Condition: A few small minor areas of discoloration in margins. Has been professionally stored away for decades. In excellent condition with strong colors
Rare
Notes:
Engraved and hand-colored by Italian artists Lorenzo Lorenzi (Active: 1750-1780) and Violante Vanni (1732-1776). Latin and Italian texts by Saverio Manetti. Comes from Manetti's monumental five volume "Storia Naturale Degli Uccelli (The Natural History of Birds)", (1767-1776), which consists of 600 hand-colored engravings. Unidentified watermark in center of sheet.
The Eurasian sparrowhawk, also known as the northern sparrowhawk or simply the sparrowhawk, is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. Adult male Eurasian sparrowhawks have bluish grey upperparts and orange-barred underparts; females and juveniles are brown above with brown barring below.
Manetti's extraordinary "Storia Naturale Degli Uccelli (The Natural History of Birds)", 1767-1776 was commissioned by Maria Luisa, the Grand Duchess of Tuscany. It is a massive 5 book volume set of 600 hand-colored engraved plates of birds. Engraved and hand-colored by Italian artists Lorenzo Lorenzi (Active: 1750-1780) and Violante Vanni (1732-1776). Latin and Italian texts by Manetti. Manetti created the drawings almost exclusively from real specimens, beginning with the extensive collection of Marquis Giovanni Gerini, an affluent Florentine Senator. Manetti saw the work was published in parts of 12 plates, issued every two months or so, most plates dedicated to a prominent member of the Italian nobility and gentry. Printed on handmade watermarked laid paper and published by heirs of Francesco Mouck (Vols. I-III), Gaetano Cambiagi (Vol. IV), Giuseppe Vanni (Vol. V), between 1767-1776 in Florence, Italy. It took 10 years to complete and at its time, was one of the largest surveys of ornithology attempted and the finest set of bird books to ever be created.
Biography:
Francesco Saverio Manetti...
Category
1760s Old Masters John Barlow Art
MaterialsWatercolor, Laid Paper, Engraving, Intaglio