ALL: James Smith Pierce Collection
The Judgement of Paris
Additional Information
The original work of art was a collaborative project between prominent 16th c. artists Raphael and Raimond. The drawing was created by Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi, Italian, Urbino 1483–1520 Rome) for the purpose of being etched by Marcantonio Raimondi (Italian, ca. 1480–before 1534). The original etching dates c. 1510-1520.
This is a work created by Amand Durand after Raphael/Raimondi.
Student Research Submitted by Simen Engh, 2019:
In the 1600s, etching was becoming popular as an alternative to plate engraving. Plate engraving was a physically and mentally intense method, and many artists were finding relief in the less exhausting medium of etching. Etching works by scratching a design into an acid-resistant ground covering a copper plate. The scratches are later filled with ink and pressed onto paper. Today, the tools and materials necessary for etching are widely available. The same can be said for the knowledge. This is contrary to the 1600s where the techniques were secrets passed down to apprentices, and the process was a major operation. Because of this exclusivity and difficulty in producing etching plates, the majority of plates produced by the master artists were lost, worn down or destroyed over the next couple hundred years.
Amand Durand was an established and reputable French engraver who lived from 1831-1905. He dedicated most of his adult life to recreating the early etching plates created by the masters such as Rembrandt. His etchings are based on research and studies he did in museums and private collections, and his work is considered to be incredibly accurate. His work varies in value depending on the piece and is known to have been purchased by major European collectors, the Louvre, and the French Biblioteque Nationale.
Additional object notes:
Lower left - hand written: Marcantonio Raimondi, Amand Durand stamp on verso
Tag: JSP Estate Collection