Beschreibung:

SANQUIRICO, Allessandro (1777-1849). Raccolta di varie decorazioni sceniche inventate e dipinte… per L’I. R. Teatro alla Scala . Milan: [c. 1827]. [ Together with :] — Scene eseguite pel melodramma serio L’ultimo giorno di Pompei . Milan: [c.1827]. A fine and remarkably vivid collection of 71 hand-coloured engraved plates illustrating set decorations for La Scala in Milan. Raccolta , which collects 62 plates depicting operatic scenes set in locations such as Ancient Egypt, Greece, the Middle East, and Italy, is here accompanied by the 8 impressive designs for Pacini’s L'ultimo giorno di Pompei (1827). From 1818-1832, Allessandro Sanquirico was the chief scenic artist at La Scala, and his work became notable for his use of exotic locations and neo-classical architecture. His set designs for La Scala reached a higher and more celebrated standard than any others in the opera houses of Europe. 2 works in 2 volumes, oblong folio (399 x 475mm). Raccolta : 62 hand-coloured aquatints by by G. Castellini Carolina Lose, Bramati, A. Biasioli, C. Sanquirico, Durelli, L. Rados, Rainieri, A. Angeli, F. Albertoli, G. Alluisetti, D.K. Binatti, C. Zucchi and L. Castellini after drawings by Sanquirico. Scene : calligraphic manuscript title, neo-classical aquatint frontispiece and 8 hand-coloured aquatints. Uniform contemporary green pasteboard, gilt-rolled neo-classical border, the Scene volume backed in green morocco (corners lightly rubbed); both in contemporary green card slipcases. Provenance : [Zisska & Schauer sales 55, lot 2134, and 57, lot 1954; from a South-German Noble Library; identified elsewhere as being the library of the Dukes of Bavaria at Tegernsee].