Raffaello Sanzio - Historiae Biblicae – Raro Album...

A diadem of exceptional historical, artistic, and collectible value: a splendid monumental album from the mid-nineteenth century, bound in Morocco leather with black leather, richly impressed with geometric patterns and dry-stamped on the covers. The volume preserves a homogeneous nucleus of 22 copperplate engravings etched by aquaforte and burin, part of the famous sacred series known as “Raphael’s Bible.” The lot spans the numerical range from Plate 38 to Plate 62, noting the absence (at the origin of the period binding) of only three numbers, 39, 40, and 44 in the standard numbering. The Invention Primigenia: Raphael Sanzio As faithfully documented by the inscriptions engraved in the lower left corner of each plate (e.g., Raff. s. inv. or R. S. dip.), all scenes reproduce the legendary old and New Testament frescoes conceived by the divine Raphael Sanzio (1483–1520) and executed by his workshop within the Vatican Loggias. Among the compositions, one stands out for its exceptional dramatic intensity: the famous scene of God appearing in glory to Job. The work represents the prestigious official edition of Calcografia Romana and unites the work of masters active across two different centuries: - Alessandro Mochetti (1760–1812): present with his splendid and clear original plates from the late eighteenth century (18th century), including Plate 54, signed in full A. Mochetti Inc. - Romualdo Ceracchi and Nicola Sangiorgi (active in the mid‑nineteenth century, 1844–1875): eminent engravers of the era (19th century) summoned by the papal institution to restore or engrave anew the branches worn after decades of pressing, signing among others the concluding plate no. 62. The Noble Pedigree: Provenance “Medici” The inner pastedown (flyleaf) bears the authentic and official heraldic emblem of the Medici dynasty (Grand Duchy of Tuscany), finely hand-colored. The oval shield with the famous six Medici balls (five red and one blue with the fleurs‑de‑lis of France) is placed on the red octagonal cross of the Order of Saint Stephen (founded by Cosimo I in 1561), topped by the grand ducal crown and the original MEDICI cartouche. Beside it stands the institutional title impressed in gold letters: HISTORIAE BIBLICAE. The album thus belonged to the historic library or the close circle of the legendary Tuscan house. To protect the historical and monetary value of the work, it is guaranteed that: The shipment will be made exclusively via international express courier (DHL / UPS / FedEx) with continuous tracking (tracking number provided immediately after dispatch). The lot will travel with full insured coverage at the total value of the winning bid, guaranteeing the buyer against any risk of loss or damage. The packing will be done with expert care: the album will be protected by multiple layers of cushioning plastic film and placed inside a rigid double-wall corrugated cardboard box with reinforced corners, to preserve the precious black leather binding.

Stima:€350

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