Original 18th century print, after Raphael, The Death of Ananias, c1770

Artist unknown

Published by John and Carington Bowles, London, c1770, 1770

About this Item

Size: Print to platemark 26 x 35 cm. Full sheet 29 x 47 cm Condition: Print in excellent condition, good colour, no stains or foxing. Slight creases in margins. This is a lovely example of a print from a mezzotint copper-plate engraving, printed on laid paper of the 18th century and dating from c1770. The scene is The Death of Ananias, and it is one scene of a series of eight paintings by Raphael d'Urbino known as the Raphael cartoons. The paintings were commisioned by Pope Leo X as designs for tapestries to coover the power walls of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. In 1623 the designs, which depict acts in the life of St Peter and St Paul, were brought to England and for many years hung at Hampton Court (they are now in the V & A Museum). The Raphael Cartoons were engraved by many artists - the engraver of this set is not known but the print states that it was published by John and Carington Bowles some time between 1767 and 1793. The technique of mezzotint invloves the use of a roller, rather than a needle, to create indents in the copper plate instead of lines, and is capable of creating subtle toning effects, well demonstrated here. The scene depicted shows the moment when Ananias, who had lied about the amount of money he has donated to the Church, is struck down and dies.

Seller Inventory # 002269

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Original 18th century print, after Raphael, The Death of Ananias, c1770
• Publisher: John and Carington Bowles, London, c1770
• Publication Date: 1770
• Language: English
• Binding: No Binding
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Antique prints