18thC mezzotint engraving of excavated fresco wall decoration. c1760

by Vanni, Niccolo

Antique print, 1700 years after Mt.Vesuvius eruption-burial.

Small copperplate engraved mezzotint engraved c1760 by Aloja from a drawing by Niccolo Vanni for the most important archaeological work of the 18th century, Le Antichita di Ercolano Esposto (Herculaneum Antiquities Exposed) - published in Naples between 1757 and 1792 under the Patronage of King Charles II - to record the discoveries excavated at Pompeii, Ercolano (Herculaneum) and Stabiae (Campania). This region was buried by the eruption of Mt Vesusius late in AD79.

This lovely 18th century engraving with later hand-colour was printed within text on hand-made paper. The cross-hatched section at top right indicating the fresco was damaged in that area, adds to the charm of this fresco engraving.

To plate mark measures 145 x 130mm (5 3/4 x 5 1/4 inches). Part page size is 21 x 19cm (8 1/4 x 7 1/2 inches).