[Handel, George Frederic. (1685–1759)] Bartolozzi, Francesco. (1727–1818) [after Giovanni Baptista Cipriani, RA]
Pre-Edition Proof of the Celebrated Coronation Portrait
[London] : Rare probedruck (pre-edition proof) depicting Handel composing sacred Music, the Genius of harmony crowning him, and a Seraph wafting his name to heaven. Lettered below image with artists' names and publication line: "I. B. Cipriani R. A. Invenit. / F Bartolozzi R. A. Engraver to his Majesty Sculpt. / Pubd. as the Act directe [sic] April 1st. 1784.", and within image in banners with title: "FROM HARMONY, FROM HEAVENLY HARMONY / THIS UNIVERSAL FRAME BEGAN / HANDEL". A beautiful impression on thick laid paper, wide margins, very little foxing, very fine condition. 8.6 x 10.4 inches (21.8 x 26.5 cm.).The present portrait was famously published the following year as Plate IV (so engraved in the upper right corner; the present proof lacking this designation) of Charles Burney's "An Account of the Musical Performances in Westminster-Abbey, and the Pantheon, May 26th, 27th, 29th; and June the 3d, and 5th, 1784. In Commemoration of Handel..."
The great Handel Commemoration of 1784, marking the supposed centenary of the composer's death, was an event with out precedent in musical history. There were five performances, and five of the plates printed here were originally conceived as entrance tickets. On the morning of Wednesday 26 May 1784 at Westminster Abbey (where Handel is buried), 525 musicians and singers performed the Dettingen Te Deum, one of the Coronation Anthems, one of the Chandos Anthems, part of the Funeral Anthem, and a few shorter pieces. The next evening at the Pantheon a smaller group performed various songs and choruses, sacred and secular, four concertos, and an overture, and on the Saturday morning the full company returned to the Abbey to perform ‘Messiah’. So successful were the concerts in the Abbey that they were repeated in full the next week. The lavishly illustrated and finely printed volume recording the events was published under the close supervision of its dedicatee, the King. The Italian engraver, drawer, and publisher Francesco Bartolozzi was, for a time, Engraver to King George III of England, and was a founding member of the Royal Academy. While Bartolozzi did not create the crayon, or stipple, method of engraving, it became inextricably associated with him and his work. (2859)
Unsigned Photo/Portrait Classical Music Art & Design Art/Sculpture Art