A Collection of Etchings and Engravings in Imitation of Drawings from Various Old Masters, Being Facsimiles of Their Respective Performances, Chiefly by Arthur Pond, & Charles Knapton, London 1734 &c
Original title: A Collection of Etchings and Engravings in Imitation of Drawings from Various Old Masters, Being Facsimiles of Their Respective Performances, Chiefly by Arthur Pond, & Charles Knapton, London 1734 &c,
kurzbeschreibung
A man in profile, his features based on a drawing by Andrea Mantegna, appears in this print from the portfolio 'A Collection of Etchings and Engravings in Imitation of Drawings from Various Old Masters.' The facsimile collection was published by Arthur Pond and Charles Knapton in London between 1732 and 1769. The printmaking techniques used include engraving, etching, and woodcut.
Description
The head is shown in profile, with short, wavy hair combed back. The gaze is serious and thoughtful; the sitter wears a shirt with a slightly open collar. Fine, detailed strokes cover the paper, creating a subtle texture. The ground reveals a delicate drawing that suggests an old model. At the bottom are the initials 'R 715' and the inscriptions 'And. Mantegna delin.' and 'E Musaeo Dni. Roberti Dingley'.
Context
Arthur Pond (c. 1705–1758), an English painter and printmaker, published a series of facsimiles after drawings by old masters together with Charles Knapton. The collection appeared in several instalments in London from 1734 onward and served collectors and artists as a reference. The model for this print came from the collection of Robert Dingley, a well-known English art collector. Portfolios of this kind were highly popular in the 18th century for making drawings accessible to a wider public.
Impact
The careful reproduction of the original drawing, with its fine lines, has an intimate, almost tactile presence. Calm and contemplation emanate from the profile view and draw the viewer into engagement with the sitter. The character of the model is preserved, while the combination of print techniques brings the drawing to life.
Technique
Engraving, etching, and woodcut were combined here to render lines and shading with differentiation. The aim was to imitate the peculiarities of Mantegna's original pen drawing. The plate was presumably worked in several passes to imitate fine details and the texture of the paper.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)