**COLLECTOR'S NOTE (MATCHING PAIR AVAILABLE):This print belongs to a beautifully matched pair of companion pieces acquired together from the same high-end collection in Florence, Italy. We are selling the second matching piece individually in our eBay shop. Please view my other listings to complete the pair!
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Type: Fine Art Print
Subject: Apollo, The Muses, Three Graces, Classical Mythology, Neoclassical Sculpture
Material: Early 19th-Century Wove Paper
Production Technique: Copperplate Line Engraving
Features: In-Plate Artist Signatures, Luxury Florentine Custom Frame, Gold Fleur-de-lis Backing
Artist/Sculptor: Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770–1844)
Engraver: Franz & Johannes Riepenhausen (c. 1805–1811)
Style: Neoclassical / Empire Period
Item Height: 36.5 cm (Frame)
Item Width: 53.5 cm (Frame)
Artwork Dimensions: 39 cm x 28 cm (Visible mount window)
Condition: Beautiful antique condition. The crisp black engraved linework remains bold and exceptionally clear. The heavy paper displays a lovely, authentic aged cream patina with light, honest handling marks and faint foxing consistent with its 200+ year museum age. Professionally housed behind glass in a luxury Florentine eyelet-carved black frame with a dark grey mat and gold fillet liner. Reverse features a traditional gold Fleur-de-lis workshop paper backing with a secure top ring hanger.
This is a magnificent, highly rare early-19th-century original Neoclassical line engraving titled "Apollo che suona, e le Muse danzano intorno alle Tre Grazie" (Apollo playing, and the Muses dancing around the Three Graces).
The Artwork & Master Collaborators:
This large copperplate engraving (marked as Plate 27 inside the matrix) reproduces the celebrated marble bas-relief sculpted in Rome by the legendary Danish master Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770–1844). The engraving was meticulously drawn and executed by the famous German printmaking duo, the Riepenhausen Brothers (Franz and Johannes), celebrated for capturing the pristine linear purity of Thorvaldsen's classical statues.
In-Plate Inscriptions:
Bottom Left: "A. Thorvaldsen inv. e scolpì" (Attributing the original sculpture design to Thorvaldsen)
Bottom Right: "Riepenhausen dis. e incise" (Attributing the engraving layout to the Riepenhausen brothers)
Centre Title: "APOLLO CHE SUONA, E LE MUSE DANZANO INTORNO ALLE TRE GRAZIE - Alto Palmi Romani 3. on. 4., Larg. p. 7. on. 4."
Premium Florentine Presentation:
This piece was expensively custom-framed in Florence, Italy, to a spectacular gallery standard. It features a heavy, dark-lacquered wooden frame carved with a striking eyelet/beaded design. The artwork is beautifully recessed within a deep charcoal gallery mat board featuring a polished gold-gilt accent inner liner.
The reverse is a collector's delight, beautifully sealed with a traditional Florentine gold Fleur-de-lis (Giglio di Firenze) patterned backing sheet and fitted with a top ring hanger.
Measurements:
Total Frame Size: 53.5 cm x 36.5 cm
Visible Artwork Window: 39 cm x 28 cm
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any further information and we'll do our best to help!
