415 - F. BARTOLOZZI (*1728) after BEAUCLERK (*1734), A tomb allegory for Leonora, 1796, Etching

F. BARTOLOZZI (*1728) after BEAUCLERK (*1734), A tomb allegory for Leonora, 1796, Etching Francesco Bartolozzi (1728 Florence - 1815 Lissabon) after Diana Beauclerk (1734 - 1808 ): Funerary allegory of Leonora Angels and putti with drapery, sarcophagus and skull, 1796, Etching Technique: Etching on Paper Inscription: At the lower part signed in the printing plate: "Drawn by Lady Diana Beauclerk | F. Bartolozzi R. A. Etchi. 1796". At the center inscribed in the printing plate: "LEONORA". Lower middle further inscription: "Published June 1, 1796, by E. & S. Harding, Pall Mall.". Date: 1796 Description: In this allegorical depiction, which serves as the frontispiece to the English edition of Gottfried August Bürger's Leonora, a sarcophagus is depicted in the centre of a gloomy tree frame. Two winged putti lay wreaths of flowers on the grave, which is marked at the foot with a skull. Above the scene, two skeletons wrapped in shrouds hold a large burial shroud with the inscription "Leonora" - a memento mori of impressive imagery. A third putto hovers above it, carefully holding a small round container towards the sky. Could it possibly contain the soul of the dead? Keywords: Dance of Death; Grave depiction; Allegory; Memento mori; Frontispiece; Leonora; Gothic; Gothic Romanticism; Pointillustration; Lady Diana Beauclerk; Putti; Death symbolism; English book illustration; 18th century; 18th century; Romanticism; Literature; United Kingdom; Size: Paper: 36,5 cm x 26,4 cm (14,4 x 10,4 in), Depiction: 30,2 cm x 22,6 cm (11,9 x 8,9 in) Condition: Good condition. Slightly discoloured due to age and with scattered age spots at the edge of the sheet. Sheet corners slightly bumped in places. Slightly creased.