Some copies at the Bodleian and Taylorian libraries, Oxford, are catalogued as having 20 pages and including an index.
Contents
[Frontis., t.p.] - Prefazione - [Plates, with explanatory texts].
Responsibility Note
The frontispiece and the 72 plates are all signed with the names of the source-artists, draughtsmen and engravers (except that the frontispiece does not carry the name of a draughtsman).
The source-artists are Raphael, F. Raibollini della Francia, Lodovico Carracci, Giacomo Cavedone, Franco Albani, Guido Reni, Fran. Francia, Annibale Carracci, G. Bugiardini, A. Tiarini, Dom. Zampieri Domenichino, P. Vannucci Perugino, B. Ramenghi detto Bagnacavallo, Franc. Mazzola, G. Vasari, S. Cantarini, Fran. Gessi, F. Barbieri Guercino, P. Tibaldi, P. Fontana, Innocenzo Francucci da Imola, G.Andr. Sirani, Giacomo Francia, Domenico Maria Canuti, G. da Colignola, G. Sementi, Elisabeta Sirani, P. Faccini, Lorenzo Sabattini, Timoteo Viti, Baldas. Galanino, Gio. Fra. Barbieri, Lucio Massari, Nicola da Cremona, Agostino Carracci, F. Cossa, Orazio Sammacchini.
Most plates are signed as drawn by Francesco Rosaspina; other draughtsmen are G. Guizzardi, L. Bendini, G. Marri, N. Angiolini, G. Canuti. Several are signed as engraved by F. Rosaspina; other engravers are B.A. Nicollet, Giuseppe Rosaspina, G. Tomba, G. Asioli, Ant. Marchi, G. Guadagnini.
No plate carries a publisher's imprint or date.
Summary Note
The work was originally published by subscription in twelve parts, beginning in 1818.
Title-page, preface and captions of plates are in Italian; the explanatory texts in French.
In his Prefazione Rosaspina declares that he intends to give 'a not inexact idea of the character, meaning the form and the lighting effects, of the selected paintings without being preoccupied with a neat and regular system of cuts'; and he has been praised for presenting distinctly here the different styles of his source-artists.
Binding Note
19th-century half calf, marbled-papered boards; rebacked in 20th century, spine lettered 'Pinacoteca Delle Belle Arti In Bologna'.
Paintings, European - Paintings, Italian - Italy - Emilia Romagna - Bologna - History
Collections - Art galleries - Galleries (display spaces) - Italy - Emilia Romagna - Bologna - History - 19th century
Catalogues - 19th century
Pictorial works - 19th century