Engraving by Nicolas Dorigny (French, 1657-1746) after Phidias (Greek, ca. 490 BCE to ca. 430 BCE). "Statva D'vna Amazone Negl'Orti Mattei Alla Navicella". Ca. 1704 CE. Jean Baptiste De Poilly (French, 1660-1728 CE). Copperplate engraving entitled, "Statva D Iside in Casa Di Girolamo Lotteri", ca. 1704 CE. A pair of fine Neoclassical engravings, the first of an original Phidias bronze statue known as Amazzone Mattei (440 to 430 BCE). This engraving was number 109 (CIX in upper corner) of "Collection of ancient and modern statues …" published in Rome by Domenico De Rossi in 1704 which included 163 plates. The second is an engraving of a statue of Isis. This engraving was number 143 (CXLIII in upper corner) of the 163 plated in "Collection of ancient and modern statues …" published in Rome by Domenico De Rossi in 1704. Size: 13.25" L x 8.25" W (33.7 cm x 21 cm); sheet measures 19.375" L x 14" W (49.2 cm x 35.6 cm) - Amazon; plate measures 13.25" L x 8.375" W (33.7 cm x 21.3 cm); sheet measures 18.625" L x 13.875" W (47.3 cm x 35.2 cm) - Isis

The body of Amazzone Mattei was drawn from a second century CE copy of the (lost) bronze original by Phidias, whereas the head was drawn from another statue. A similar, but slightly different statue of an Amazon was found at Villa Adriana. Both statues include the moon shaped shield of the Amazons known as a pelta, which in time would become a very popular decorative motif (e.g. at the Hall of the Opus Sectile at Ostia). Pliny the Elder described a competition among renowned sculptors (ca. 435 BCE) to create the best statue of an Amazon - Phidias' work came in second, "The most celebrated (sculptors) have also come into competition with each other, because they had made statues of Amazons; when these were dedicated in the Temple of Artemis of Ephesus, it was agreed that the best one should be selected by the vote of the artists themselves who were present; and it then became evident that the best was the one which all the artists judged to be the next best after their own: this is the Amazon by Polycleitus, while next to it came that of Phidias, third Cresilas's, fourth Cydon's and fifth Phradmon's." Pliny the Elder - Historia Naturalis - Book XXXIV. Translation by H. Rackham.

Text beneath the title of the Amazzone Mattei engraving reads, "Nella Stapa di Dom-co de Rossi erede di Gio. Giac-o de Rossi in Roma alla Pace, con Priuil del Som Pont," demonstrating that this engraving is from Domenico De Rossi's publication. In the lower right of the Isis engraving: Gio. Battista de Poilly Inc. Published in "Raccolta de Statue Antiche e Moderne Data in Luce sotto I Gloriose Auspici della Santita di N.S. Papa Clemente XI da Domenico de Rossi."

Provenance: private Lucille Lucas collection, Crested Butte, Colorado, USA

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#136473

Amazon engraving shows minor waviness and creases at edges. Expected toning to paper commensurate with age. Otherwise very good. Isis engraving: Some staining to margins. Tears and folds to lower left margin. Normal toning to paper. Otherwise very good.