18th century mezzotint engraving of Herculanean fresco.. building, people.

by Vanni, Niccolo

18th century antique print recording Herculaneum excavation. Spear-fishing.

Small copperplate engraved mezzotint of a man fishing in a peaceful environment. Engraved by Aloja from a drawing by Niccolo Vanni for the most important archaeological work of the 18th century, published in Naples between 1757 and 1792 with Patronage of King Charles II, to record the discoveries at Pompeii, Ercolano (Herculaneum) and Stabiae (Campania), the region that had been covered since the eruption of Mt Vesusius late in AD79.

The thickness of hand-made paper varied considerably. The paper of this engraving has a few imperfections, is of slightly lighter weight and has acquired a vertical crease at the rear which is not discernable from the front - most likely from the stretching of the paper during printing. To intaglio impression measures 140 x 175mm (5 1/2 x 7 inches).