Luigi Calamatta, “The Vow of Lous XIII”, 1837, after Ingres

Luigi Calamatta (1801–1869)

“The Vow of Lous XIII” (aka “Louis XIII dedicating the Kingdom of France to the Virgin and Child”; “Voeu de Louis XIII”) 1837, after the painting by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780–1867), printed by F. Chardon, Ainé (fl.1820–1860) and published in Paris by Rittner et Goupil (fl.1829–1841).

Etching with engraving on wove paper, trimmed with a small margin around the image borderline and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 61.2 x 41.5 cm; (image borderline) 59.5 x 39.9 cm.

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (left) “PEINT PAR INGRES.”; right) “CALAMATTA DIS. E INCISE.”

Beraldi 22 (Henri Béraldi 1886, “Les Graveurs du XIXe Siècle: Guide de l'Amateur d'Estampes Modernes: BRASCASSAT–CHÉRET”, vol. 4, Paris, Librairie L. Conquet, pp. 54–56, cat. no. 22); Le Blanc 4 (Calamatta); Courboin 3220 (Ingres).

Interestingly, Henri Beraldi (1886) testifies to the importance of this print by quoting a letter sent to him from one of Calamatta’s more famous students, Léopold Flameng. The following is an extract from this letter in translation: “… the Vow of Louis XIII, of the most beautiful print I know; here is the one to be admired: he [Calamatta] knew how to give his burin style and grandeur, he raised the art of burin engraving to its highest expression!” (p.56).

See also the description of this print offered by the British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1877-1013-270 (inv. 1877,1013.270).

A strong and well-printed impression, trimmed with a small margin around the image borderline and backed with a sheet of millennium quality washi paper. There is a significant, but restored/replenished, scrape mark through the centre of the image. Beyond this important issue there are no tears, holes, folds or significant stains.

I am selling this huge and famous etching acclaimed by the 19^th century French printmaker, Léopold Flameng, as being “the most beautiful print I know”, for AU$340 (equivalent to approximately US$216.18, EUR 206.54, or GBP 171.36 at the time of listing) and includes Express Mail Service (EMS) postage and handling to any worldwide destination. Please note that any import duties or taxes levied by the destination country are the responsibility of the buyer and are not included in the purchase price. Payment is requested in Australian dollars (AU$340).

If you are interested in purchasing this major etching (with engraving), please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.