Andrea Andreani (Circa 1540–1623) Italian, Woodcut Print after da Reggio, "The Entombment"

Lot description

Andrea Andreani (c. 1540–1623) Italian, Woodcut Print after da Reggio, "The Entombment". After Raffaelino Da Reggio (Italian 1550-1578) A very rare print in Chiaroscuro. Woodcut printed in brown ink on blue-green paper. On laid paper with a “PW” with three circles and cross watermark Inscribed verso with the name of Reggio and Andreani with partial date of 1787, or 1789. Catalogue raisonne: Bartsch 24 Various repairs and slightly trimmed. The inscription, lower left has faded Overall Size: 21 1/2 x 18 x 2 1/2 in. Sight Size: 14 3/4 x 12 1/4 in. Andrea Andreani (c. 1540–1623) was an Italian engraver renowned for pioneering the chiaroscuro woodcut technique in Italy, which involved printing with multiple woodblocks to achieve tonal variations. Born in Mantua, he was active in cities such as Florence, Siena, and Rome. Andreani is best known for his reproductions of works by masters like Andrea Mantegna, Albrecht Dürer, Parmigianino, and Titian. His most celebrated series includes the Triumphs of Caesar, based on Mantegna's paintings, which he meticulously recreated with added architectural elements to emulate the original frieze format. Andreani's engravings are held in major art institutions worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum, reflecting his significant contribution to Renaissance printmaking.