Ducks and plants on a pond. Incomplete fresco.

by Vanni, Niccolo

Antique print of a finely decorated diptych fresco.
This charming engraving records the fine decorative floral detail missing from this fresco, as well as the absence of detail at top right. I think this always adds to the charm as well as to the engraving's faithfulness in accurately recording the subject matter.

Small copperplate engraving c.1757 by Cepparuli from a drawing by Niccolo Vanni for the most important archaeological work of the 18th century - the recording of the discoveries at Pompeii, Ercolano (Herculaneum) and Stabiae (Campania), the region that had been covered since the eruption of Mt Vesusius late in AD79. Small engravings were used as headpieces and tailpieces to decorate pages of text in grand publications hundreds of years ago. This wonderful engraving which is as published (uncoloured) on hand-made paper, was from Le Antichita di Ercolano Esposte (Herculaneum Antiquities Exposed), published in Naples between 1757 and 1792 under the patronage of King Charles II of Naples.

Printed on thick hand-made paper, with later hand-colour, this lovely engraving has age-soiling which is to be expected when paper is 250 years old. To its platemark this antique print measures 115 x 235mm (4 1/2 x 9 1/4 inches).