Putti playing game with a mask. Excavated fresco.

by Vanni, Niccolo

Charming fresco of Putti games.. frightening, frightened, scolding!

From a charming series of Putti at Work and Play, small 18th century engravings c1757. Original mezzotint engraved on copper by Filippo Morghen after a drawing by Niccolo Vanni for the most important 18th century documentation on the archaeological excavations at Pompeii, Ercolano (Herculaneum) and Stabiae (Campania), hundreds of years after the region was covered by the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in AD79. Published in Naples circa 1760, with patronage of King Charles II.

This small image has fine later colour. The engraving is mounted between 'antique white' conservation rag mat board (with one black line around window to highlight, and covered with cellophane for protection. Engraving to plate mark: 11 x 16cm. Window size 12 x 17cm. External size for frame:25 x 30cm (9 3/4 x 11 3/4 inches).