DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7597#0398
CHAP. VI.]
BACCIO BALDINI.
361
fleeted, that if the figures, with the inscription, had been engraved
on the top of a box, that inscription would naturally have been
engraved in the direction used in writing, from left to right; and
that consequently, in such case, the inscription in the impression
would appear, as in oriental writings, from right to left. Huber,
however, who wrote after Heineken, has given no explanation of
the apparent anomaly, and Bartsch copies the descriptions of the
last mentioned writer, verbatim, without comment. The reader
is, therefore, left to determine the point in question upon the pre-
ponderance of probabilities; and I will only add concerning it,
that the circular or oval form of most of these engravings, is
in favour of the supposition, that they are really the impres-
sions taken by some goldsmith, from engravings executed
upon plate, or other ornamental furniture; and that the pro-
bability of such being the case, is further strengthened by
the circumstance that, with the exception of No. 4, of which
Bartsch informs us he saw a duplicate, they appear to be
unique.
Amongst the first uses to which the new art of chalcography
appears to have been applied, was that of making almanacks, play-
ing cards, and, we may doubtless add, devotional pieces. Of the
former kind, Strutt discovered a set of engravings, in the collection
of Dr. Monro, which are certainly of the old Florentine school,
and most probably by Baldini; at least they bear so strong a resem-
blance of manner to the three prints in the Monte Santo di Dio, and
several other pieces usually ascribed to that engraver, as to leave
no doubt that they are by the same hand. It is, however, proper
to observe, that the impressions of these engravings, which are now
preserved in the collection of the British Museum, appear to have
been taken off after the plates had been worn by repeated use,
and rudely retouched all over; so that they want much of that
softness and delicacy of appearance, which no doubt the early
impressions possessed : it is remarkable that, nevertheless, no other
3 A
BACCIO BALDINI.
361
fleeted, that if the figures, with the inscription, had been engraved
on the top of a box, that inscription would naturally have been
engraved in the direction used in writing, from left to right; and
that consequently, in such case, the inscription in the impression
would appear, as in oriental writings, from right to left. Huber,
however, who wrote after Heineken, has given no explanation of
the apparent anomaly, and Bartsch copies the descriptions of the
last mentioned writer, verbatim, without comment. The reader
is, therefore, left to determine the point in question upon the pre-
ponderance of probabilities; and I will only add concerning it,
that the circular or oval form of most of these engravings, is
in favour of the supposition, that they are really the impres-
sions taken by some goldsmith, from engravings executed
upon plate, or other ornamental furniture; and that the pro-
bability of such being the case, is further strengthened by
the circumstance that, with the exception of No. 4, of which
Bartsch informs us he saw a duplicate, they appear to be
unique.
Amongst the first uses to which the new art of chalcography
appears to have been applied, was that of making almanacks, play-
ing cards, and, we may doubtless add, devotional pieces. Of the
former kind, Strutt discovered a set of engravings, in the collection
of Dr. Monro, which are certainly of the old Florentine school,
and most probably by Baldini; at least they bear so strong a resem-
blance of manner to the three prints in the Monte Santo di Dio, and
several other pieces usually ascribed to that engraver, as to leave
no doubt that they are by the same hand. It is, however, proper
to observe, that the impressions of these engravings, which are now
preserved in the collection of the British Museum, appear to have
been taken off after the plates had been worn by repeated use,
and rudely retouched all over; so that they want much of that
softness and delicacy of appearance, which no doubt the early
impressions possessed : it is remarkable that, nevertheless, no other
3 A