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This print is a fine example of Scolari's very distinct style of working on the woodblock with the burin to carve long, sweeping parallel lines of different density into the woodblock to create a rich and varied tonality, a technique more akin to wood engraving. His Saint Jerome also attests to another aspect of Scolari's inventiveness: his radical reworking of the woodblock between the first and second states. He transformed the composition in several areas by cutting out large parts of the already chiselled block and inserting plugs into the gaps, which could then be newly carved. In this fashion, he altered the position of the Saint's leg and reworked the drapery in the present second state of the print. As a result, the figure of the Saint is more dynamic, seemingly stepping forward into space, whilst the drapery emphasises the shape of the body underneath. His unusual cutting method and these changes to the block for compositional purposes strongly suggest that Scolari was not only the designer of this print, but that he also cut the block himself - a laborious process that was usually done by craftsmen rather than the artist.
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Condition report
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In addition to the catalogue description: - trimmed to the subject on three sides, with thread margins at right. - the sheet backed with an 18th century laid paper sheet, watermark Fleur-de-Lys in single Circle. - a small brown spot and very minor surface dirt at lower left. - the backing sheet inscribed with initials AMK. H. verso. - a couple of small pencil inscriptions and a brushstroke of brown wash verso on the backing sheet. Otherwise as described and in very good condition.
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Lot 55Sale 20187
Saint JeromeGIUSEPPE SCOLARI (ACTIVE 1550-1600)Estimate: GBP 1,500 - 2,500
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