GIOVANNI BATTISTA PITTONI

Several of the plates in Giovanni Battista Pittoni’s Imprese di diversi Principi, Duchi, Signori…, Venice, 1562, show etched cartouches that have been copied from the prints of Battista Angolo del Moro, which in turn go back to etchings by Du Cerceau of Rosso’s inventions. Other cartouches go back to other sources after Rosso that still need to be determined. The subject of Moro and Pittoni is discussed by Richardson (1980, 110, with bibliography; for further bibliography on Pittoni, see Oberhuber, 1966, 162-163). Only the cartouches of Moro’s prints have been copied, or partially copied, in the same direction. Variations have been introduced, including the addition at the top of a plaque with the name of the person whose impresa appears in the picture area below, replacing the scene that is found in each of Moro’s etchings. The following list gives some of the pages that are derived from Moro’s etchings and one other related to Rosso – I have not seen the 1562 edition – based on information gathered from several sources.

Pages 4 and 6, after Moro (under E.57,10). Related to the frame planned for the Pavilion of Pomona, page 6 apparently a fuller copy (as noted on the mat of Moro’s print in New York).

Page 8, after Moro (under E.57,8). Related to the framing of the Enlightenment of Francis I in the Gallery of Francis I (as noted on the mat of Moro’s print in New York).

Page 35, after Moro (under E.57,5). Related to the framing of the Venus and Minerva in the Gallery of Francis I (Béguin and Pressouyre, 1972, 125. Richardson, 1988, 110, and Fig. 231).

Page unknown, Emblem of the Count of Arundel. Related to the framing of the Combat of Centaurs and Lapiths in the Gallery of Francis I (Béguin and Pressouyre, 1972, 126). There is no Moro print related to this frame.

A copy of the 1578 edition of this work is in London, Case 163* No.6.26. On the title page: Imprese / Nobili, et ingeniose di diversi / Prencipi, et d’altri personaggi / illustri /nell’arme et nelle lettere: / Le quali, col disegno loro estrinseco, dimostrano l’animo, et la buona ò mala fortuna de gli Autori loro. / Con le dichiarationi in / versi di / M. Lodovico / Dolce. / Et d’Altri / In Venetia / Presso Girolamo Porro /MDLXXVIII / Con Privilego. The prints listed below, after Rosso’s inventions, measure c. 11-11.3 x 16.2-16.9 L. Each is inscribed in the lower left corner: BPV. A Roman numeral appears in the lower right corner of each. Their relation to Moro’s etchings has not been determined.

Page 5, the Roman numeral scratched over, Impresa of S. Consalvo Perez. Related to the frame planned for the Pavilion of Pomona.

Page 11, numbered XXVI, Impresa of S. Don Giovanni di a Cugna. Related to the framing of the Venus and Minerva in the Gallery of Francis I.

Page 24, numbered XXI, Impresa of S. Gaudenzo Barone di Spor di Valer. Related to the framing of the Danaë in the Gallery of Francis I.

Page 31, numbered XV, Impresa of the Conte di Arundel. Related to the Combat of Centaurs and Lapiths in the Gallery of Francis I.

Page 52, numbered VIIII, Impresa of Mons Giovan Thomaso Eletto di Pressione. Related to the framing of the Venus and Minerva in the Gallery of Francis I.

Page 55, Roman number smeared, Impresa of Lodovico Dolce. Related to the East Wall of the Gallery of Francis I.

References to Pittoni’s prints follow each print by Moro under Du Cerceau.