Batoni, Pompeo Girolama (Lucca 1708 – Rome 1787). Magdalen. Lying before rocky scenery and reading in a book. The hair open, one breast denuded. The book supported by a skull. Between the teeth of this the ear of some grass as symbol of hope. At the outer left the chalice. Steel engraving by William French (c. 1815 – East Grinstead 1898). 3^rd quarter of the 19^th century. Inscribed: Dresdener Galerie / G. Batoni pinx^t. / W. French sc., otherwise as above. 14.7 x 18 cm.

“ This training (as goldsmith) formed in Batoni a feeling for delicacy, precision, and ‘ornamental elegance’ (Clark) that distinguished his style as painter. (May his) orientation at Raffael and the seicento classicism (have been) over-emphasized, it is justified to say that B.s interest for the early Roman painting lead him to a classicist style of individual character ”

(Cinzia Maria Sicca, Allgemeines Künstler-Lexikon VII, 1993, 470).

Both the two attributes book + death’s-head already combined by El Greco (1541-1614), but likewise by Batoni’s contemporary Ridinger (1698-1767) in his “Magdalen”.
Offer no. 14,182 / EUR  60. (c. US$ 91.) + shipping

– Magdalena. The same, but in steel engraving by D. J. Pound (England about 1859/60). 3^rd quarter of the 19^th century. Inscribed: G. Battoni pinx^t. / D. J. Pound sc. 14.6 x 18.3 cm.
Offer no. 14,183 / EUR  60. (c. US$ 91.) + shipping

“ Received the Heron Hawking today, it is exceptionally nice. Thank you for packing so carefully … ”

(Mr. L. A. F., December 6, 2005)