Mario Cartaro

This monumental, elaborately arranged composition after an invention by Giulio Romano is considered a rare major work by Mario Cartaro and definitely arose during the very early stages of the artist’s creative period in Rome from 1560 to about 1586. The composition is based on an altar piece by Giulio Romano done around 1523 and commissioned by the German banker, Jakob Fugger, for a chapel in the Church of Santa Maria dell’Anima in Rome. The sheet on offer here is an early impression published by Michele Grechi (known as Lucchese). At the bottom right it bears Grechi’s monogram, the publisher being active in Rome until 1564.

Cartaro’s brisk, vigorous engraving technique brings out very well the idiosyncrasies of Giulio Romano’s Mannerist idiom. While the figures of the saints and their draperies are treated rather summarily, the winged lion of St. Mark, the symbol of the city of Venice, in the foreground admirably illustrates the artist’s refined, detailed burin technique. A splendid feature of the work is the ancient rotunda in the background that is decorated with sculptures in niches and enlivened by genre-like details. A hen keeps an eye on her chicks here, for instance, while behind them a woman with a spindle emerges from a doorway.

A very fine, strong and tonal early impression with thread margins around the distinct platemark. Before the address of Lafreri and before further editions by Orlandi and Carenzani. Minor ageing, otherwise in mint condition.
 

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