G Longhi, Il Genio De La Musica – Cupido, Framed Engraving, 19th Century

This framed engraving represents the genius of Music burning Cupid’s arrows, tied to a tree, blindfolded.

Mentions: “Non semper il caso avverasi, ma tal lo pinso Guido”, “Guido Reni Pinx” (the painter) and “Joseph Longhi sc 1794” (the engraver)

Giuseppe Longhi is an Italian painter and engraver (1766-1831): following his serious studies, he achieved real technical mastery (etching, chisel and dry point, on the same plate) and was rewarded with prizes awarded by Italian municipalities. Best engraver of his time, in 1796 he became Napoleon’s official engraver in Italy: he executed the portrait of Napoleon painted by Gros to commemorate the Battle of Arcole, met Napoleon Bonaparte and obtained the Chair of Engraving in Milan, then in 1806 , a portrait of Napoleon for the Italian civil code

Guido Reni (1575-1642) is a painter from Bologna; He mainly paints religious works, but also mythological and allegorical subjects. Active in Rome, Naples but also in Bologna, he is the dominant figure of the School of Bologna, which emerged under the influence of the Carracci family (school of painting founded in 1582, bearing the name of Accademia dei desiderosi (“Accademia dei desiderosi”) of those who wish”)

Traces of exposure to the sun, foxing stains

Dimensions with frame: 68 x 54cm
Dimensions without frame: 48.5 x 37cm