Andrea MANTEGNA Renaissance Engraving Entombment of Christ Reichsdruckerei Helio

Description: Andrea Mantegna Renaissance engraving The Entombment of Christ (created before 1475), identically-sized intaglio facsimile etched and hand-printed by Reichsdruckerei over 100 years ago. This is a huge etched copy of Mantegna’s exceedingly rare original engraving, with ample margins. Produced between the late 1800s and early 1900s. Minor spotting at top of sheet, with brown dot at left side more than 1/2" outside the platemark; 1/6" tear at left edge of sheet, and 1/3" tear at right edge; 5 faint brown spots on back that can't be seen from the front; with "523" stamped on from at bottom left, and Reichsdruckerei and Amsler & Ruthardt stamps on reverse. Platemarks: 12.5 x 18 inches; sheet: 15.25 x 21.7 inches. Shipped in archival glassine in a heavy-duty tube 3" in diameter. Thank you for looking. Please check out my other auctions, and have a wonderful day! Similar to what Amand Durand accomplished with his heliogravures in the late-19th century, the Reichsdruckerei in Berlin created photographic plates of outstanding Renaissance intaglio impressions, etched the lines into copper plates at actual size, and then printed them as intaglio facsimiles. Because the images were taken directly from the original works and the lines were etched to hold ink and print 3-dimensionally like the originals, these facsimiles are remarkably convincing in a way that would be impossible with offset. Metropolitan Museum on its own impression of Mantegna's original: “Vasari suggested that it was Baldini's engravings that inspired Mantegna to take up the medium. Recent scholars are also of the opinion that Florentine examples provided Mantegna with a starting point for the development of his own technique. In what is believed to be one of his earliest prints, we can see the profusion of fine lines with which Mantegna builds up areas of tone, from the transparent shadows of the Virgin's mantle to the impenetrable darkness of the cave. His shading is systematic, with all lines following the same diagonal slant, and his contours vary subtly in depth and thickness, creating a sense of volume through their modulations. In this beautifully rich-if damaged-early impression, we can appreciate the full intensity, drama, and ambition of one of the artist's first efforts in the new medium of engraving.”

Price: 225 USD

Location: Chicago, Illinois

End Time: 2024-10-31T03:29:09.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD