Mattia Jona, Master Drawings and Prints, Japanese Prints - Piazzetta Guastalla 5, 20122 Milan, Italy, tel (+39) 02 8053315

LUIGI CONCONI (Milan 1852 - 1917) L'ARCO DI TITO (The Arch of Titus in Rome)
Etching, 1876; a fine impression of the first state of two, according to Bianchi-Ginex, before the addition of the statue of Vittorio Emanuele II. Skillfully printed with extensive work on the surface tone (acquaforte monotipata), on thick wove white paper. Signed 'LConconi' and numbered 'pr XXXVI' (16th proof) in the film of ink left in the plate in wiping. With large margins; slightly foxed, other minor defects, generally in very good condition. To the platemark 665 x 465 mm, the entire sheet measuring 895 x 640 mm. See M. Bianchi, G. Ginex, 'Luigi Conconi incisore', Milan, 1994; cat. no. 3. PROVENANCE: Alberto Pincherle (1894-1979), purchased in Milan, c. 1909/1912; private collection, Milan.

Luigi Conconi was an architect, painter and illustrator. Born in a Milanese middle-class family, he was the nephew of the painter Mauro Conconi. Luigi studied architecture at the Accademia di Brera and at the Politecnico in Milan, and he used his architectural training occasionally throughout his career. Since his years at the Politecnico, he became acquainted with the literary and artistic circles of the Scapigliatura and Tranquillo Cremona and Daniele Ranzoni influenced his early paintings. In the 1880s Conconi moved from the Realism of Scapigliatura toward the Symbolism, developing an interest in visionary themes. He received the international recognition of prizes in Paris in 1900 and in Munich in 1913. Conconi was also a skilful and sensitive printmaker, who revived the art of the etching in Lombardy, being the leading exponent of the 'acquaforte monotipata', an etching printed with a large amount of ink left on the plate, creating evocative effects. Conconi printed personally almost all his own plates.