Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

Unknown
Phallus Fascinum in ancient Roman Religion - Original Etching - 18th Century

18th Century

About the Item

Phallus fascinum in ancient Roman religion, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized in the 18th century. Signed on the plate, on the lower right: Ferd, Strina inc. Good conditions with slight folding. 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.
  • Creation Year:
    18th Century
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 19.3 in (49 cm)Width: 13.39 in (34 cm)Depth: 0.04 in (1 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-1240561stDibs: LU65038809082
More From This SellerView All
You May Also Like
  • Crucifixion: 18th Century Etching by Conrad Metz after Daniele da Volterra
    Located in Alamo, CA
    "Crucifixion" is an etching and aquatint, printed in brown ink by Conrad M. Metz after a painting by Daniele da Volterra. It was published in London in 1789 in 'Imitations Of Ancient...
    Category

    Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

    Materials

    Etching, Aquatint

  • Young Man in a Velvet Cap (Ferdinand Bol) by James Bretherton, after Rembrandt
    By Rembrandt van Rijn
    Located in Middletown, NY
    Etching and drypoint on heavy cream laid paper, 3 3/4 x 3 1/4 inches (96 x 83 mm), narrow margins. In very good condition with some minor surface soiling. [Björklund's second state ...
    Category

    18th Century Old Masters Portrait Prints

    Materials

    Etching

  • Jan Cornelis Sylvius
    By Rembrandt van Rijn
    Located in Middletown, NY
    Heliogravure on cream laid paper, 6 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches (164 x 138 mm), thread margins. Uniform toning on the recto, and scattered light foxing and various notations in purple ink and...
    Category

    19th Century Old Masters Portrait Prints

    Materials

    Handmade Paper, Laid Paper, Etching

  • Carolus de Mallery, by Lucas Vorsetman the Elder after van Dyck
    By Rembrandt van Rijn
    Located in Middletown, NY
    An exalted portrait of fellow Flemish engraver and publisher Karel van Mallery. Lucas Vorsterman the Elder (after Anthony van Dyck). Carolus de Mallery, from Icones Principum Viror...
    Category

    Mid-17th Century Old Masters Portrait Prints

    Materials

    Laid Paper, Engraving, Etching

  • Judith Grasping The Head Of Holofernes... by Giovanni A. Sirani after Guido Reni
    By Guido Reni
    Located in Middletown, NY
    Judith Grasping The Head Of Holofernes By The Hair And Looking To The Left, and Old Woman to the Right. circa 1640 Etching on cream laid paper with a foolscap watermark, 10 x 7 inche...
    Category

    Mid-17th Century Old Masters Portrait Prints

    Materials

    Laid Paper, Etching

  • Little Girl Playing with a Baby in its Mother's Arms
    By Adriaen van Ostade
    Located in Middletown, NY
    Deuchar, David, (after van Ostade). Little Girl Playing with a Baby in its Mother's Arms; Mother with Two Children. Edinburgh: c 1800. Etching on cream laid paper, 3 3/4 x 2 3/4 inch...
    Category

    19th Century Old Masters Portrait Prints

    Materials

    Etching, Laid Paper

Recently Viewed

View All