The plate (portrait) is signed as painted by Felix Cignani Comes fils. and engraved by H. Sim. Thomassin filius.
The work is dedicated to Cristoforo Tardini by Ippolito Zanelli.
Summary Note
No publication-date is given on the title-page. The colophon gives the date of 1722; the engraved portrait carries the date of 1717.
This is the earliest monograph on Carlo Cignani, the Bolognese painter who was especially renowned for his frescoes and large-scale works, and was much influenced by Correggio.
The only illustration is a folding portrait of the artist.
In Britain may be seen Cignani's cartoons for the mythological cycle which he painted for the Farnese Palazzo del Giardino at Parma (Hampton Court, Royal collection).
Provenance
First purchased for RA Library in 1871 (see 'Library Report for the Year 1871', RA Annual Report, Appendix No. 7, p. 29). Apparently re-purchased in 1879 (see RA Annual Report for 1879, p. 47).
Binding Note
19th-century half green morocco, marbled-papered boards; spine lettered 'Zanelli. Vita Di C. Cignani.' and 'R.A.'