Michelangelo Mercoli, “Study of a Ram’s Head”, 1795

Michelangelo Mercoli (1773–1802)

“Study of a Ram’s Head” (descriptive title only) (aka “Tratto da una scultura in bronzo di Benvenuto Cellini Fiorentino” [titled in plate]), 1795, after the design by Giocondo Albertolli (1742–1839) and based on a bronze sculpture by Benvenuto Cellini (1500–1571) (as inscribed in the plate). Plate 20 in a series of 20 plates (with the addition of a title plate and dedication plate to Lodovico Galeazzo Busca Arconati Visconti, marchese di Lomagna) in “Miscellanea per i giovani studiosi del disegno .... Parte terza” (Miscellanea for young scholars of drawing .... Third part), published in 1796 in Milan by Giocondo Albertolli. This book is available to view online or to download free of charge from archive.org which also offers detailed information about the publication: https://archive.org/details/gri_33125009355229/page/n43/mode/2up.

Etching on heavy laid paper (with watermark) and full margins as published.

Size: (sheet) 57.1 x 44.5 cm; (plate) 38.9 x 28 cm

Numbered in plate at upper right: “Tav. XX.”

Lettered in plate along the lower edge: (left) “Giocondo Albertolli dis.”; (centre) “Tratto da una scultura in bronzo di Benvenuto Cellini Fiorentino.”; (right) “Michelangelo Mercoli inc.”

Condition: a strong and near faultless impression with generously wide margins (as published). Beyond minor waviness to the outer edge, the sheet is in a near pristine/museum quality condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions or stains.

I am selling this study of a curiously devilish ram festooned with Dionysian grape leaves and a ribbon for AU$386 (currently US$252.75/EUR233.47/GBP196.65 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. Note that payment is in Australian dollars (AU$386) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this superb and large etching—a true masterwork of etching in my opinion—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.