Luigi Calamatta (1801-1869). L'uomo, l'artista, le opere. Temi per una analisi critica
Author(s)
Dinoia, Rosalba
Date Issued
April 6, 2011
Type
Doctoral Thesis
Abstract
Luigi Calamatta (Civitavecchia, 21 June 1801 - Milano, 8 March 1869) was an ‘incisore di traduzione’, an ‘engraver translator’: he was in fact the kind of artist who devoted his life to interpret the work of others. His activity can be placed at the end of the centuries-old tradition of print d’après, a means through which the work of ancient and contemporary masters spread throughout the world.
The present research aims to outline one of the most representative Italian figures among the incisori di traduzione in the context of early 19th century Europe. It also aims to fill some gaps in our knowledge of the tradition of engraving, being this issue still little studied.
Even today there are too many prejudices about the role and relevance of the engraver in this period, marked by great political and social upheavals, but also by enormous technological advances that had a deep impact on prints production, until when it was disrupted with the advent of photography.
Luigi Calamatta was a multifaceted figure: artist and internationally renowned patriot of the Risorgimento, he lived in Italy, France and Belgium and he was in contact with the leading representatives of the liberal and republican élite. The critic deepening of Calamatta’s figure offers many opportunities of research and reflexion. An updated interpretation was also possible thanks to the thorough analysis of the huge quantity of newly discovered, unpublished documents. Moreover, it allowed to add fresh considerations to the issue concerning the changing of perception of the incisore di traduzione’s specific role. A role that Calamatta himself contributed to modify, both because of his influent friendship with one of the main players of the romantic French culture, George Sand, and his long cooperation with the most important artist of that time, Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres.
Additional information
Dottorato di ricerca in Memoria e materia delle opere d'arte attraverso i processi di produzione, storicizzazione, conservazione e musealizzazione
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