Domenico Cunego’s etching, “The Separation of Land and Water”, 1781, after Michelangelo

Domenico Cunego (1727–1803)

“The Separation of Land and Water” (aka “Producant aquae reptile animae viventis”; “Let the waters produce the creeping things of the living soul” [transl. of inscribed title]), 1781, after a section of Michelangelo Buonarroti’s (1475-1564) Sistine Chapel fresco, published in Rome in 1781 by Domenico Cunego.

Note that I have previously listed an engraving with etching of the same composition with subtle differences by Antonio Capellan (aka Antonio Capellani) (c.1740–1793): see https://www.printsandprinciples.com/2022/03/antonio-capellans-engraving-separation.html.

Etching on laid paper (with watermark), trimmed along the platemark with a thread margin.

Size: (sheet) 20.7 x 23.5 cm; (image borderline) 15.5 x 10.9 cm.

Lettered below the image borderline: (left) “Michael Angelus Bonarota in Pacello Sistino”; (centre) “Producant aquae reptile animae viventis. Gen: Cap. I. Vers. 20./ Romae aqud Dom. Cunego”; (right) “Dom. Cunego sculp Romae 1781”.

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression trimmed around the platemark in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains or foxing.

I am selling this sensitively executed and very beautiful small etching after a panel of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel fresco, for AU$282 in total (currently US$188.49/EUR170.54/GBP150.13 at the time of posting this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) 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 remarkably fine translation of Michelangelo’s fresco into line, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.