Frontispiece to a series of prints dedicated to Filippo d'Angelo Michele Guastavillani, 1640
Etchingexpand_more
Gift of James A. Bergquist, Boston, in honor of Rachel McGarryexpand_more 2021.69.15
Not on Viewexpand_more
This is the frontispiece for a series of playful images of putti etched by Lorenzo Loli after drawings by Giovanni Andrea Sirani. Sirani's surviving drawing for this etching reveals that he worked drew lines with a pen, then added extensive tonal washes and white highlighting, all of which Loli translated into the linear pattern seen in the etching. Cupid points to a dedication to "Filipo," a young member of the prominent Bolonese family of Guastavillani, also known as Filippo d'Angelo Michele Guastavillani. One wonders if the subjects of the series, putti or young angels, is a play on Filippo's middle name, Angelo. Additionally, the Guastavillani arms include a series of concentric circles that resemble a target, which may also have inspired the appearance of cupid in the prints. Perhaps the series as a whole could be read as a series of allusions to or lessons for Filippo.
Details
- Title
- Frontispiece to a series of prints dedicated to Filippo d'Angelo Michele Guastavillani
- Artist Life
- about 1612–1691
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2021.69.15
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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