Antonio Baratti’s etching “Superbia”, c1760, after Vincenzo Scozia

Antonio Baratti (aka Antonio Baratta) (1724–1787)

“Superbia” (aka “The Fall of the Rebel Angels”), c1760, plate 1 from a series of seven plates, “The Seven Deadly Sins”, after the design by Vincenzo Scozia (fl. late 1700s). The portrayed scene illustrates Isaiah 14:12-15 (as inscribed on plate): “(12) How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! … (15) But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit” (NIV).

Etching on laid paper trimmed along the platemark on the sides with a narrow margin above and below.

Size: (sheet) 44.3 x 52.9 cm; (plate) 43.5 x 52.9? cm; (image borderline) 39.3 x 51.6 cm.

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (left) “V. Scozia inv./ Quomodo cecidisti de celo Lucifer? Qui dicebas: [How did you fall from heaven Lucifer? Who said:]/ N^o. 1.”; (centre) “SUPERBIA.”; (right) “A. Baratti Sculp./ similis ero Altissiom. Ad infernum detraheris.[ I will be like Altissius. You will be dragged down to hell.]/ Isai. Cap. 14v. 12.13.14.15.”

See the description of this print at Catalogo generale dei Beni Culturali: https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/0500690842

Condition: a richly inked and well-printed impression with small margins. Beyond faint collector’s annotations verso, the sheet is in a near pristine condition with no tears, holes, abrasions, significant stains or foxing.

I am selling this large and exceptionally rare etching showing the archangel Michael sending fallen angels, and demonic creatures to hell with divine fire from his shield, for AU$388 (currently US$255.23/EUR259.88/GBP227.37 at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this imposingly large etching that is seldom seen on the art market—note that the British Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the MET do not hold a copy of this print—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold