Page 33 - Catálogo #78 2020 Bostn Virtual Book Fair

Librería José Porrúa Turanzas 2020 Boston Virtual Book Fair

17. SANZIO URBINO, Raffaello (inventor) & CHAPRON, Nicolas (engraver). Sacræ His-
toriæ Acta a Raphael Urbini Vaticanis Xystis ad picturæ miracu lum expressa Nicolaus
e
Chapron gallus a se delineata et incisa. Roma, Pierre Marierre, 1646. Large folio (445
x 324)mm. Engravings: (265 x 310)mm. aprox. Engraved frontispiece, engraved cover
and 52 engraved plates by Chapron after Rafael. Nineteenth century half calf, title gilt
stamped on front cover. 6,500 € / US$ $7,580

First edition of these magnificent engravings illustrating the murals made by Raphael for the
walls of the Vatican, drawn and engraved by Chapron. The work comprises engraved frontis-
piece, engraved cover and 52 engraved plates representing the “Rooms of Rafael”, four rooms
located on the second floor of the Apostolic Palace (Vatican City) with frescoes by the Italian
Renaissance painter Rafael Sanzio de Urbino (1483 -1520) and his disciples between 1508 and
1524. The names of the main disciples and collaborators of Raphael are known in this and other
works: Giulio Romano, Giovanni da Udine, Gianfrancesco Penni and Perin del Vaga. Together
with the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, the work of Michelangelo, they constitute the cycle of
frescoes that mark the High Renaissance in Rome. The drawings illustrate scenes from the Old
Testament, except for the last four that illustrate the life of Jesus. The plates are drawn and
engraved by Nicolas Chapron (1612-1656), a French painter and printmaker who was part of
the current called Atticism. It is said that he made this series on the frescoes of Raphael at the
request of Poussin, whom he had accompanied to Rome in 1642, responding to a suggestion of
the King of France. These prints served as learning and example to French artists who could not
travel to Rome to study the original paintings. Rare work in commerce, a reissue was published
in the nineteenth century. Good copy, the plates mounted on cardboard.
References: Brunet IV, 18

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