Giovanni Giacomo de' Rossi (XVII) - Hercules drives away the Harpies

A Museum-Quality Baroque Masterpiece of 1677: Plate 6 from "Barberinae aulae fornix" An exceptional, well-documented investment opportunity for international collectors of old master prints and Baroque art. This magnificent and historic copperplate engraving (burin copperplate engraving*) was published in Rome around 1677 by the leading Roman engraver, Giovanni Giacomo de' Rossi (1627–1691). This particular print (Plate 6) magnificently reproduces a masterpiece of European art history: the monumental ceiling fresco of the Salone Grande of Palazzo Barberini (Rome), created between 1630 and 1633 by the father of Baroque painting, Pietro da Cortona (Pietro Berrettini, 1596–1669). Iconography and Political Symbolism: The complex and dramatic composition depicts an intricate allegory of Hercules driving away the Harpies, ensuring justice and abundance for the poor. Left: A powerful and muscular Hercules raises his iconic club to ward off the Harpies, winged and clawed creatures (symbols of greed and corruption). Right: Governed by the law of Justice, the goddess of Abundance (Ubertas) flies over a desperate crowd of old people, widows, and children, bestowing riches upon them from a vast cornucopia. The Coat of Arms: The upper axis is beautifully crowned by a grandiose Baroque coat of arms with a central cartouche, perfectly framing the architectural structure of the original vault. The prints from this seminal series are highly institutionalized and held in prestigious collections worldwide, including the British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). Technical Details and Specifications: Inventor: Pietro da Cortona (1596–1669). Publisher: Giovanni Giacomo de' Rossi (Rome, active late 17th century). Portfolio Series: Barberinae aulae fornix (Plate 6). Print date: circa 1677. Medium: Original copperplate engraving on historic laid paper. Condition: The print is in good/excellent condition for a 350-year-old folio. The matrix lines remain dark, sharp, and well-defined, preserving remarkable tonal contrast. The historic laid paper is clean and dry, with a natural, even ivory-colored patina due to aging. The margins show slight historical wear and a small numbered notation ("9") in the lower right corner, confirming its provenance from an ancient archive. There are no tears or significant restorations in the central composition. Condition: Good / Very Good (antique condition). Material: 17th-century laid paper with watermark (Laid paper).T echnique: Burin engraving and copperplate etching. Period: 17th century (circa 1677 / Full Baroque). Signature: Unsigned on the front (The attribution to Pietro da Cortona and De Rossi is historically certified by the series catalogue and the original title page). The lot will be appropriately packaged and shipped via approved couriers with online tracking. This lot cannot be shipped outside the European Union.

Estimación:175€

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