Pair of Roman Intaglio Engravings by Leonardo Agostini, 1685-1793

Description

Pair of engravings by Giovanni Battista Galestruzzi of Roman intaglio from Leonardo Agostini's book "Le gemme antiche figurate". The first … more Pair of engravings by Giovanni Battista Galestruzzi of Roman intaglio from Leonardo Agostini's book "Le gemme antiche figurate". The first Italian-language edition was published in Rome in 1657. These engravings come from the first Dutch edition in Latin, printed in Amsterdam in 1685, or possibly a later edition published in 1793.

In conjunction with text by Giovanni Bellori, a noted Italian antiquary, Agostini published "Gemme antiche figurate" in two volumes in Rome in 1657 and 1669. The first part was devoted entirely to Cardinal Barberini's collection, which Agostini had assembled for the papal nephew, and the second part to cameos and other discoveries from the auguste ruine della gran Roma (or the "august ruins of great Rome"). Agostini served as antiquary to Cardinal Francesco Barberini to collect works for the Palazzo Barberini. Appointed superintendent of antiquities in the Papal States, he directed the excavations of the Forum and of the Roman baths near the church of San Lorenzo in Panisperna.

Giovanni Battista Galestruzzi was an Italian painter and etcher of the Baroque period. Born in Florence, he was a pupil of the painter Francesco Furini, before moving to Rome where he joined the Accademia di San Luca in 1652.

Each plate bears the title in Italian above the intaglio image and the name of the stone from which it was carved below.

Netherlands, 1685-1793. less