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a black and white drawing of a group of people in a wooded areaan image of a piece of paper on a white background
Dams Casa d'Aste

287 - John Smith – The Holy Family with Angels, after Carlo Maratt…
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Estimate €150 - €180
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Description
John Smith – The Holy Family with Angels, after Carlo Maratta Mezzotint engraving on contemporary laid paper, 391 x 283 mm A splendid and rare mezzotint engraving depicting the Holy Family surrounded by angels and cherubs. The scene, characterised by great dramatic intensity and the soft chiaroscuro typical of the mezzotint technique, shows the Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus, Saint Joseph behind them, and a group of adoring angels in the foreground and amongst the tree branches. The Child holds a small cross in his hand, foreshadowing the Passion, whilst an angel offers him a basket containing the instruments of the Passion (the nails and the crown of thorns).The work is rich in historical and bibliographical information engraved in the lower margin (at the bottom): Main inscription: “Cum in Orbem inducit Primogenitum, dicit, adorent eum omnes Angeli Dei.” This is followed by the biblical reference: Epist. ad Hebr. cap. i. v. 6. (Letter to the Hebrews, chapter 1, verse 6). Engraver’s/publisher’s signature: On the left, “J. Smith fec. 1707” and on the right, “J. Smith excudit”, attesting to the work of the famous English engraver John Smith (1652–1742), one of the greatest masters of mezzotint of his time.Origin of the design: “ex Tabula Car. Maratti”, indicating that the print is based on an original painting by the famous Italian Baroque painter Carlo Maratta (1625–1713).Historical provenance from the period: It is specified that the original work measured “25 pollices & dimid. alta, 20 pol. lata” (25 and a half inches high by 20 inches wide) and was held “in Museo D. Richardi Graham Arm. Londini’ (in Richard Graham’s collection in London). The print is in good overall condition, printed on contemporary paper. There is some slight, natural foxing due to age, which does not compromise the legibility or the charm of the work. The margins are trimmed close to the plate edge but retain the full text.
See original version (Italian)
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About the sale Classical Art
Auction location
Auction time 07/09/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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