Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

Ludovico Boily
Hermes, Ancient Roman Statue - Original Etching on Paper - 18th Century

18th Century

About the Item

Hermes, Ancient Roman Statue, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Ludovico Boily in the 18th century. Signed on the plate, on the lower right. Good conditions with slight folding. The etching belongs to the print suite “Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed” (original title: “Le Antichità di Ercolano Esposte”), an eight-volume volume of engravings of the finds from the excavation of the ruins of Herculaneum in the Kingdom of Naples (now Campania, Italy). It was published between 1757 and 1792 by the Regia Stamperia, and copies were delivered to selected recipients across Europe. Despite the title, the Antiquity of Herculaneum shows objects from all the excavations undertaken by the Bourbons in the Gulf of Naples. These include Pompeii, Stabia and two sites of Herculaneum: Resina and Portici. The Bourbon King Carlo appointed fifteen scholars creating a new “Herculaneum Academy” to study the artifacts and publish the results of the archaeological excavations of the sites. The engravings are of high quality and the accompanying text shows a large scholarship. They were realized by 25 prominent artists involved by the King to prepare drawings and engravings on the finds, among which we can find Giovanni Elia Morghen, Carlo Nolli, Luigi Vanvitelli and Giovanni Battista Casanova. The “Antiquities” was designed more to amaze readers with the quality of the objects in the collection of the King of Naples than to be used in research., following and increasing the interest of 18th century society for the classical culture and Art in particular. Through the exaltation of the classical concept of proportions and harmony, the book was of inspiration to the neoclassical movement in Europe, giving artists and decorators access to a huge shop of Hellenistic motifs. Ref.: National Gallery (Washington), Mark J. Millard Architectural, IV (2000), no. 1; L. Garcia y Garcia, Nova bibliotheca pompeiana (2 v., 1998); Royal Institute of British Architects, British Architectural Library ... Early printed books, 1 (1994), no. 112. U. Pannuti, 'Incisori e disegnatori della Stamperia Reale di Napoli nel secolo XVIII: la pubblicazione delle Antichità di Ercolano', in Xenia antiqua, 9 (2000), p. 151-178; V. Trombetta, 'L'edizione de Le Antichità di Ercolano esposte' in Rendiconti dell'Accademia di Archeologia, lettere e belle arti di Napoli , 59 (1984), p.151-172.
  • Creator:
  • Creation Year:
    18th Century
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 19.3 in (49 cm)Width: 13.39 in (34 cm)Depth: 0.04 in (1 mm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
    Insurance may be requested by customers as additional service, contact us for more information.
  • Gallery Location:
    Roma, IT
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: T-1245941stDibs: LU65038907942
More From This SellerView All
You May Also Like
  • Bearded Man with Shadowed Face, Wearing a Scarf and a Plumed Hat, (3rd state)
    By Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione
    Located in Chicago, IL
    Bearded Man with Shadowed Face, Wearing a Scarf and a Plumed Hat, (3rd state), 1645-50 Etching on laid paper 152 x 184 mm.; 6 x 7 1/4 inches References: Bellini 45 Bartsch 52 Note...
    Category

    17th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

    Materials

    Laid Paper, Etching

  • Christ and the Woman of Samaria Among Ruins by James Bretherton after Rembrandt
    By Rembrandt van Rijn
    Located in Middletown, NY
    Bretherton, James (After Rembrandt van Rijn). Christ and the Woman of Samaria Among Ruins. London: c 1775. Etching on light cream laid paper, 4 3/4...
    Category

    18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints

    Materials

    Handmade Paper, Etching, Laid Paper

  • The Windmill by François Vivares, after Rembrandt
    By Rembrandt van Rijn
    Located in Middletown, NY
    Engraving on cream laid paper, 8 x 5 7/8 inches (202 x 149 mm), trimmed at the platemark. Adhered at each corner to a small sheet of archival laid paper. Horizontal edge loss at the ...
    Category

    Mid-18th Century Old Masters Landscape Prints

    Materials

    Handmade Paper, Laid Paper, Etching

  • Judith Grasping The Head Of Holofernes... by Giovanni A. Sirani after Guido Reni
    By Guido Reni
    Located in Middletown, NY
    Judith Grasping The Head Of Holofernes By The Hair And Looking To The Left, and Old Woman to the Right. circa 1640 Etching on cream laid paper with a foolscap watermark, 10 x 7 inche...
    Category

    Mid-17th Century Old Masters Portrait Prints

    Materials

    Laid Paper, Etching

  • Fountains of Rome
    By Giovan Battista Falda
    Located in Middletown, NY
    A charming scene with romping dogs and spectators watching the cascading water play a trick on an unsuspecting man who is sprayed as he descends the steps, as the fountain was design...
    Category

    Early 17th Century Old Masters Landscape Prints

    Materials

    Engraving, Etching, Laid Paper

  • Jeux de boules - Near the City Gate
    By Herman van Swanevelt
    Located in Middletown, NY
    Etching on cream laid paper, 6 7/8 x 10 7/8 inches (175 x 275 mm), thin margins. Some minor surface soiling and paper tape residue in four areas along the top sheet edge, verso, othe...
    Category

    Mid-17th Century Old Masters Landscape Prints

    Materials

    Laid Paper, Etching

Recently Viewed

View All