John J. Gredler Works of Art

A Hand Colored Engraving of a Pompeiian Fresco by G. Casanova

A meticulously detailed hand colored rendering of a fresco in Pompeii in what became famous as the color "Pompeii Red". The detail is intricate and exquisite, and it is clear the influence these excavated frescoes had on the rebirth of neoclassical design and architecture. Rare to see a beautiful hand colored edition of this etching, and in such fine condition. (We also have a pair of prints from the same edition listed).  Circa 1800.

30.75" h  x  27.75" w    framed

Signed: Joan: Casanova Rom.Reg .Del - Fran. Cepparoli Napole: Reg: incis: Giovanni Casanova, artist, Roma Francisco Cepparoli engraver, Napoli

There was great interest in the ancient Roman art discovered with the excavation of the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum beginning in 1758, which had been frozen in time since buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79. These prints of frescoes served as souvenirs for the great libraries of Grand Tour travelers and patrons, and provided great inspiration to neoclassical architects and decorative art designers in Europe and the United States in the late 18th and early 19th century.