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

F. BARTOLOZZI (*1728) after BEAUCLERK (*1734), A Funerary Allegory for Leonora, 1796, Etching Francesco Bartolozzi (1728 Florence – 1815 Lisbon) after Diana Beauclerk (1734 – 1808): Funerary allegory of Leonora; angels and putti with drapery, a sarcophagus, and a skull, 1796, Etching Technique: Etching on paper Inscription: Signed on the printing plate at the bottom: “Drawn by Lady Diana Beauclerk | F. Bartolozzi R. A. Etchi. 1796.” In the center, inscribed on the printing plate: “LEONORA.” Further inscription in the lower middle: “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 center 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 bearing the inscription “Leonora”—a memento mori of striking imagery. A third putto hovers above it, carefully holding a small round container toward the sky. Could it possibly contain the soul of the deceased? Keywords: Dance of Death; Grave depiction; Allegory; Memento mori; Frontispiece; Leonora; Gothic; Gothic Romanticism; Pointillism; 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), Illustration: 30.2 cm x 22.6 cm (11.9 x 8.9 in) Condition: Good condition. Slightly discolored due to age and with scattered age spots along the edge of the sheet. Sheet corners are slightly bumped in places. Slightly creased.