Benigno Bossi, Etching Vaso con farfalle, 18th century

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Item description

Benigno Bossi (Arcisate 1727 - Parma 1792) was an Italian painter, plasterer and engraver. The son of Pietro Luigi, an important plasterer active in Saxony, he followed his father to Germany and learned from him the art of stucco and was his collaborator. Here Benigno took an interest in engraving, especially etching and aquatinting, and some plates remain dated Dresden 1755. Following the Seven Years' War, Bossi returned to Italy. After a brief stop in Milan we find him active in Parma (1759) as an engraver and decorator. He began a successful collaboration with the French architect Ennemond Alexandre Petitot (Lyon 1727 - Marore 1801) who was called to the French court in Parma in 1753. In 1746 Bossi engraved from his drawings the Suite des vases tirée du cabinet de M. du Tillot and the highly original Mascarade à la Grecque d'après les dessins originaux tirés du cabinet de... le marquis de Felino..., Parma 1771; he made various stuccoes both for the Court and for the architect himself. A painter of neoclassical taste, he left paintings in churches in Parma and Colorno. His activity as an engraver was certainly the one in which Bossi put his mind and soul and reached the highest levels. He drew his subjects mainly from Parmigianino but also from Correggio, Guercino and Londonio; he also engraved many invention plates in which, free from models, his personal character is more evident, his sign is loose and lively. This print is number 7, as indicated by the engraved number in the top right-hand corner, and is taken from a drawing by Petitot for the series Suite des vases... 1746. Petitot was a great master of 18th century ornamentalism and this series of vases of pure ornamental invention is proof of this. This panel shows a neo-classical style urn with mouldings on the body and a smooth lid with a pine cone grip. The chiaroscuro contrasts emphasise the undulating pattern of the decoration and the sides. By way of handles, two grasshopper-like creatures of invention are depicted. In the bottom right-hand corner engraved "B f.". Excellent impression. Very good state of preservation. Wide margins beyond the copper stop.

ID: 11318-1626102187-21399