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SILVER Seller in Milano, Italy
Count Giovanni Rocca (Reggio Emilia 1788 - Reggio Emilia 1858) Italian engraver son of Count Luigi Rocca. After an initial classical education in his home town, he went to Bologna and began studying drawing and engraving with engraver Francesco Rosaspina (Montescudo 1762 - Bologna 1841). In 1816, he was appointed professor of engraving at the School of Fine Arts in Reggio. He specialised in engraving genre scenes and portraits. The sheet depicts Her Majesty Marie Louise (Vienna 1791 - Parma 1847), a woman and sovereign portrayed in numerous sheets always with such different physiognomic features that one may wonder what her real face was. Empress of the French first and Duchess of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla later, she is depicted in an oval carved from a background of parallel lines. She is half-length turned slightly to the right. Her hairstyle and dress are rendered with skilful chiaroscuro. Beyond the image at the bottom is the title: Her Majesty MARIA LUIGIA/ Archduchess of Austria/ Duchess of Parma Piacenza and Guastalla. This is followed by four verses arranged in two columns: Su Taro e Trebbia di Sua Mente dono/ Archeggian Ponti di grand'Opre esempli/ Nè per Lei men chiari in Parma or sono/ Dell'Arti Belle e delle Muse i Templi. The verses refer to the two bridges over the Taro and Trebbia rivers designed by Antonio Cocconcelli (1761 - 1846) and built on an archducal commission. To the right of the title is engraved: Giovanni Rocca dis. and inc. in Reggio 1827. Under the inscription: Angelo Allodi impressed in Parma in the Isac and Toschi chalcography. Angelo Allodi (late 19th century - c. 1848), a friend and collaborator of Paolo Toschi, therefore printed the plate at the important chalcography founded by Paolo Toschi (Parma 1788 - Parma 1854) and Antonio Isac (Parma 1788 - Luzzara 1828), who are also remembered today for having opened the Parma Society of Watercolour Engravers in 1807 together with Tommaso Gasparotti and Vincenzo Raggio. A specimen is kept at the Glauco Lombardi Museum in Parma. Excellent impression. Good state of preservation. Wide margins. Bibliography: F. Sandrini, I volti di Maria Luigia, Quaderni del Museo n.18, p. 134; Paolo Medioli Masotti, Paolo Toschi, Artegrafica Silva.
ID: 11318-1696349278-72859
