Ottley, William Young: An inquiry into the origin and early history of engraving: upon copper and in wood ; with an account of engravers and their works, from the invention of chalcography by Maso Finiguerra to the time of Marc Antonio Raimondi (Band 2) (London, 1816) [Cicognara, 266B]

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ENGRAVINGS BY [chap. vii.

Hercules and Dejanira.

Hercules is standing on the right, resting with both hands on his
club, and seen in front. Dejanira is standing on the left, and is
represented in a back view. Both these figures are naked, and,
although in a dry style, are designed with intelligence. The whole
is engraved much in the manner of Mantegna, who does not, how-
ever, appear to have been the author of the design. The mark of
the engraver is in the middle of the print at bottom. This piece
measures nine inches in height, by five inches in width. (Bdrtschi
No. 9.)

Three Cupids.

Three Cupids standing. That on the left is seen in a back view.
He has a shield on his left arm, and a torch in his right hand, and
appears looking at an owl which is perched on the stump of a tree.
The two other Cupids, of which the one in the middle has also a
buckler and a torch, hold, by its legs, a dead eagle. The mark of
the engraver is in the middle of the print at bottom. This piece
measures eight inches and seven-eighths in width, by six inches and
three-quarters in height. (Bartsch, No. 13.)

A Lion overcome by a Dragon.

We have already mentioned this piece, which is admirably en-
graved from a fine design of Lionardo da Vinci, and shaded in
the manner of that artist's drawings, with diagonal hatchings. The
lion seems overcome with terror at the horrid appearance of his
assailant, and is moving, with enfeebled steps, towards the left.
The mark of the engraver is near the middle of the print, at bottom,
under the left hinder foot of the lion. This piece measures nine-
inches and three-quarters in width, by seven inches in height,
{Bartsch, No. 20.)