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Ornament & pattern
Renaissance Ceiling Ornament, Antique Decorative Print, Plate LIX, 1869
€270
$305 · £230
Original print, not a reproduction
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- Date
- 1869
- Sheet size
- 15.9 × 11.3 in (40.4 × 28.8 cm)
- Condition
- Very good. Bright original colors and crisp impression. Mild toning at margins and faint age spotting, mostly outside the image area.
- Collection
- Ornament & pattern
- Era
- 1850 and after, The age of revivals
- Stock no.
- f_46122672
Renaissance Ceiling Ornament, Antique Chromolithograph, Pl. LIX
This richly detailed chromolithograph, Plate LIX from *L’Ornement Polychrome* (Paris, circa 1869), presents a dazzling composition of Renaissance ceiling decorations, drawn from frescoed vaults and domes. Lithographed by Jesta and printed by Firmin-Didot Frères, this print offers a vivid glimpse into the decorative grandeur of the High Renaissance.
Composed of intersecting circular and geometric compartments, the design features a symphony of colors, royal blues, golds, carmines, and deep greens, combined with a remarkable variety of motifs. Medallions depict expressive human faces, masks, and classical busts, likely referencing mythological or historical figures. Interspersed among them are ornate scrolls, grotesques, arabesques, putti, heraldic symbols, and floral flourishes.
The central and upper elements highlight celestial themes, including golden stars, laurel wreaths, and allegorical figures, while the lower sections transition into geometric and heraldic motifs, hinting at the multi-layered symbolism common in Renaissance architectural ornament.
Such intricate ceiling frescoes were often seen in the villas and palaces of Florence, Rome, and Mantua, especially in the works of artists like Giulio Romano and the school of Raphael. The design reflects the Renaissance pursuit of harmony, symmetry, and the integration of art with architecture.
Collectors of historical design, antique interiors, and decorative arts will find this plate both inspiring and visually arresting. It is a testament to the Renaissance belief in the ennobling power of ornamentation.
Condition: Very good. Bright original colors and crisp impression. Mild toning at margins and faint age spotting, mostly outside the image area.
Framing tips: Best displayed in a gold or black frame with a deep bevelled cream mat to accentuate the curved geometry and rich palette of the plate.
Technique: Chromolithograph
Maker: Jesta (lith.); Firmin-Didot Frères, Paris, c.1869
