Farinelli [Broschi], Carlo - Engraved Portrait.Click Image to ZoomEnlarge Image

Farinelli [Broschi], Carlo (1705-1782)

Engraved Portrait.

Mid eighteenth century. Matted with a total size of 26.5" h x 19" w. In excellent condition. Two tiny repaired tears at top (only just affecting background). Professional repair to tear at bottom (affecting a caption in Latin, but covered by mat). Very small spot at lower right margin (not affecting image).
A handsome engraving of the great castrato by Joseph Wager (1706-1780), after a painting of 1735 by his teacher, celebrated Italian artist Jacopo Amiconi (1685-1752). Farinelli is shown seated in a rich silk coat, while to his left, a woman holding a musical score places a laurel wreath atop his head. Cherubs play to his right and an angel above gazes at a horn.

A particularly beautiful, large portrait. Scarce.

Farinelli was friendly with Amiconi and in 1747 persuaded the painter to leave Italy for Madrid, where Farinelli held a court appointment. Amiconi would soon thereafter become court painter to Ferdinand VI of Spain.
GPH-12539$850Share on Facebook