Galleria Giustiniana Del Marchese Vincenzo Giustiniani Parte Prima Tavole No. CLII. (Parte Seconda Tavole No. CLXVII.)
RA Collection: Book
Record number
03/2285
Imprint
(Roma):: , (1631.)
Physical Description
2 vols.; 507 mm. (Broadsheet).
General Note
Vol. I: T.-pl., [1-]152 pl. In the Royal Academy's second copy there are a further eight plates numbered 1-8 bound in between pl. [1] and 2; and the t.-pl. calls for 'Tavole No. CLIII'. - Vol. II: [2], 3-168 pl. (41 dble.). Dble. pl. 166 consists of one dble. and one single sheet, joined. Although the title-pl. calls for 167 pl., there are 168 numbered pl.
The title plates of both volumes are signed as engraved by Gioann. Petroschi.
In volume I the engraved note (pl. [1]) is unsigned; the portrait of V. Giustiniani (pl. 2) is signed as drawn and engraved by Claud. Mellan. In volume II the engraved note (pl. [2]) is unsigned; the portraits of the Giustiniani (pl. 3-6) are severally signed as engraved by Mich. Natalis, made by T. Matham, engraved by M. Natalis, drawn and engraved by N. Magalli. Most other plates in both volumes are signed by draughtsman and engraver. Draughtsmen include C. Mellan, Anna M. Vaiani, J. de Pape, I. Sandrart, I. Thysidius Guidus, Io. Bapt. Ruggerius, I. Lanfranco, F. Duquesnoy, F. Perrier, I.A. Podestà, Franciscus Bonamicius Lucen. and Carol. Max. Engravers include C. Mellan, P. de Balliu, R. á Persyn, C. Bloemaert, M. Natalis, I. Comin, C. Audran, T. Matham, F. Greuter and Valerianus Regnartius.
The additional eight plates bound into the Academy's second copy of Volume I are all signed as engraved by Cornelis Bloemaert or Michael Natalis (pl. 7), and all, except pl. 2, state the names of the source-artists (Titianus, Lucas Cangiasius, Iulius Romanus, L. Carratius, Andrea del Sarto).
Each of these eight carries its own publication imprint, 'Cum privil. S.C. Maj. et Regis Christmi. Romae Superiorum licentia' (or similar).
References
I Giustiniani e l'antico, ed. G. Fusconi [exhibition catalogue] (2001); A. Gallottini, Le Sculture della collezione Giustiniani (1998-) (ISBN 8882650243 (v.1)); E. Cropper, 'Vincenzo Giustiniani's Galleria', in Cassiano dal Pozzo's Paper Museum (1992), II, p.101-26. An attempt was made to reconstruct the Giustiniani gallery on the internet (www.biblhertz.it/Mitarbeiter/Strunck).
F. Haskell and N. Penny, Taste and the antique: the lure of classical sculpture (1982).
For Giustiniani's own writings see Raccolta di lettere sulla pittura, scultura ed architettura scritte da più celebri personaggi dei secoli XV, XVI e XVII, ed. G. Bottari and S. Ticozzi (1822).
Summary Note
No publication-date appears on either title-plate. The portrait of Vincenzo Giustiniani (Vol. I. pl.2) carries the date 1631.
The book is one of those which made known throughout Europe the collections of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture that were being accumulated in Rome, and which were increasingly regarded as canons and patterns of art. The collections of sculpture and paintings bought by Vincenzo Giustiniani and his brother Cardinal Benedetto were among the largest in Rome. Preparation of this catalogue was supervised by Joachim von Sandrart; and its publication in 1631 was celebrated in Angelo Caroselli's painting, 'Pygmalion'.
The plates of Volume I show a portrait of Vincentius Giustinianus (pl. 2), and ancient Greek and Roman full-length sculptures (pl. 3-152). Those of Volume II show portraits of the Giustiniani (pl. 3-6), ancient Greek and Roman busts, bas-reliefs, sarcophagi and altars (pl. 7-152), buildings associated with the Giustiniani and the town of Bassano (pl. 153-167) and the Greek island of Chios (pl. 168). The plates in both volumes are unaccompanied by text or captions, so are without identification, description or statement of location or origin.
The eight additional plates bound into the Academy's second copy of Volume I all represent pictures of the Mother of God with the infant Christ.
By the time the Royal Academy bought this book several of the sculptures were in Britain, having been acquired in 1720 by Lord Pembroke.
Provenance
Purchase of the Academy's first set was ordered by Council on 10 October 1788 (RA Council Minutes II, 63). It was bought from Francesco Sastres for £7 7s. on 3 November 1788 (see Sastres' bill of that date for books totalling £35 3s. 6d.).
The date of acquistion of Academy's second set, which belonged to Richard Westmacott RA, is unrecorded.
Copy Note
The title-plate of Volume I of the Academy's second set is inscribed in ink, 'Richd Westmacott'.
Binding Note
First set: 18th-century half calf, white paper-covered boards; rebacked in 20th century, retaining earlier red morocco spine-labels, lettered, 'Galler Giustin D. March Vincenz Giustini Par. I' and 'Galleria Giustinia D. Marche Vincenzo Giustinia. Par. II'.
Second set: 19th-century calf, upper and lower covers with gilt and blind borders; gilt-decorated spines lettered 'Galleria Giustiniana Parte I. (II.)' and 'R.A.'.