Hubert François Gravelot

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Hubert François Gravelot
1699-1773
Drawing for Canto X of Alessandro Tassoni's "Secchia rapita"
ca. 1766
Pen and ink and pencil on paper, mounted on paper backing.
5 5/8 x 3 7/16 inches (142 x 88 mm)
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
2003.22:15
Notes: 

Gravelot's design is preparatory for an illustration to Canto X in an edition of Alessandro Tassoni's "Secchia rapita" (“The Stolen Bucket”), published in Paris by Lorenzo Prault and Pietro Durand in 1766. Tassoni's mock-heroic poem, originally published in Paris in 1622, blends the construct of an epic with an absurd premise: a 14th century war between Modena and Bologna was actually caused by the Modenese stealing a bucket from Bologna. The corresponding plate appears facing p. 131 in volume two of the published work and is captioned “Ella volgendo a Titta un guardo ghiotto Sporge la bocca”. The scene shows Titta and the wife of Count Culagna embracing in front of her husband.

Inscription: 

Drawing signed "H. Gravelot inven" in ink at lower right.

Provenance: 
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Associated names: 

Ray, Gordon Norton, 1915-1986, former owner.

Bibliography: 

Kraemer, Ruth S. "Drawings by Gravelot for Alessandro Tassoni's mock-heroic poem La secchia rapita." Master drawings, XXVIII (Autumn 1990), p. 338-343, no. 15.

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