328 - P. THOMASSIN (*1562), Statue of Diana of Ephesus, around 1610, Copper engraving

P. THOMASSIN (*1562), Statue of Diana of Ephesus, around 1610, Copper engraving Philippe Thomassin (1562 Troyes - 1622 Rome): Statue of Diana of Ephesus, "Natura", plate 46, c. 1610, Copper engraving Technique: Copper engraving on Laid paper Date: c. 1610 Description: After an ancient statue, in a conch. "Natura", Diana of Ephesus, with many breasts. Inscribed below the image within the printing plate: "Natura in aedibus". From: Antiquarum statuarum urbis Romae liber primus, P. Thomassin, 1610. After the publication of Giovanni Battista de Cavalieri's engraving work "Antiquarum Statuarum Urbis Romae Tertius et Quartus Liber" (1594), it is considered the first work with independent engravings after antique statues -- drawn and engraved by Philippe Thomassin himself. The French engraver was Jacques Callot's first teacher; he created over 430 engravings, including many after paintings by Italian masters such as Michelangelo. In total, he illustrated 50 antique statues, all of which were placed in conches. 23 of these are from the Borghese Collection, 5 from the Capitoline Collection, four each from the Medici Collection and the Farnese Collection, 3 from Rome: Palazzo Apostolico, Cortile del Belvedere, Statue Court and one from the Cesarini Collection. The others have no indication of their location. Dating: 1610 is considered the terminus post quem due to the existence of a statue from the Borghese collection from the estate of Guglielmo della Porta (sold to Giovanni Battista Borghese in 1609); terminus ante quem: 1622. From the estate of the antiquarian Rosenthal Munich / Amsterdam. Keywords: 17th century, Figurative, Portraits, Italy, Size: Laid paper: 22,3 cm x 14,4 cm (8,8 x 5,7 in), Depiction: 12,4 cm x 8,2 cm (4,9 x 3,2 in) Condition: Good condition. The illustration makes a very good impression. The sheet is minimally discolored due to its age.