Lot 299, Auction 4/20/2026: 18th C. Oesterreich Etchings “Raccolta di XXIV”

$1,170.00

In stock

Matthias Oesterreich (German, 1716-1778) after Piet Leon Ghezzi (Italian, Comunanza near Ascoli Piceno 1674-1755 Rome). Publisher Conrado Walther of Dresden, Germany, ca. 1750 CE. Twenty four etchings from a series of caricatures of the Roman court and its foreign visitors of the Baroque era created by Matthias Oesterreich (German, 1716-1778) after compositions Piet Leone Ghezzi (Italian, Comunanza near Ascoli Piceno 1674-1755 Rome) in the collection of the King of Poland. The series is entitled “Raccolta di XXIV. Caricature Disegnate colla penna dell Celebre Cavalliere Piet:Leon:Ghezzi. Conservati nell Gabinetto di Sua Maesta il Re di Polonia Elett:di Sassonia. Matth(ias): Oesterreich sculpsit Dresdae Nell Anno MDCCL.” Size of each ~ 11.5″ L x 8″ W (29.2 cm x 20.3 cm), title page image 12″ L x 8.5″ W (30.5 x 21.6 cm), all mounted on sturdy rag board with border adding approximately 1″ (2.5 cm).

Within a Baroque botanical cartouche, the title page features a caricature portrait of Frederick Augustus II (Augustus III, King of Poland) at the “head.” Beneath the publisher is mentioned, “Si Vendea Dresda: Da George Conrado Walther: Libraro di Corte.” Most of the etchings are captioned in Italian and Oesterreich signed each plate with his monogram. Most of the images have a single-line border, with sequence number within interior border at lower left and Oesterreich’s monogram at lower right, joined by the year 1750 and sometimes the month and day as well. Furthermore, most of the prints are signed in the plate below the border: Eques [or Cavallier] P.L. Ghezzi delin., Matthaeus Osterreich sculps. Dresde. Plates IX and XVII also include the date of Ghezzi’s drawing as: 13 7bris 1722.

Although Piet Leon Ghezzi painted frescoes and history paintings, he is best known for his beloved caricatures of the Roman court and its foreign visitors. His caricature etchings of Baroque era notables after the designs of Piet Leon Ghezzi are rare and difficult to find.

Individual drawings by Ghezzi have sold for as much as 3000 Euros (~$3500), and in 2008 a Ghezzi painting hammered at $91,000 at Christie’s, New York (April 15, 2008, Sale 1986, lot 47). A similar set is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Condition: Normal age wear with expected toning and stains. A few with inactive wormholes. One offset within border.

Provenance: ex-private Dr. Joseph & Edith Chess collection, Larchmont, New York, USA

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