Lot 833

Oesterreich after Ghezzi | 24 Roman Caricature Etchings, ca. 1750

Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 833
image_0 image_1 image_2
Oesterreich after Ghezzi | 24 Roman Caricature Etchings, ca. 1750
Oesterreich after Ghezzi | 24 Roman Caricature Etchings, ca. 1750
image_0 image_1 image_2

Oesterreich after Ghezzi | 24 Roman Caricature Etchings, ca. 1750

Estimate: $1,600 - $2,400

Starting Bid: $500

(0 Bids)
by Artemis Fine Arts
July 30, 2026 8:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Matthias Oesterreich (German, 1716-1778) after Piet Leone Ghezzi (Italian, Comunanza near Ascoli Piceno, 1674-1755, Rome). Publisher Conrado Walther, Dresden, Germany, ca. 1750 CE. A complete set of twenty-four etchings from a series of caricatures depicting the Roman court and its foreign visitors during the Baroque era. The compositions were created by Ghezzi and etched by Oesterreich, after works held in the collection of the King of Poland. The title page reads: *"Raccolta di XXIV. Caricature Disegnate colla penna dell Celebre Cavalliere Piet: Leon: Ghezzi. Conservati nell Gabinetto di Sua Maesta il Re di Polonia Elett: di Sassonia. Matth(ias): Oesterreich sculpsit Dresdae Nell Anno MDCCL." Each etching measures approximately 11.5 in. L x 8 in. W (29.2 cm x 20.3 cm); the title page measures 12 in. L x 8.5 in. W (30.5 cm x 21.6 cm). All sheets are mounted on rag board, adding a border of approximately 1 in. (2.5 cm).

Within a Baroque botanical cartouche, the title page features a caricature portrait of Frederick Augustus II (Augustus III, King of Poland) at the "head." Beneath the publisher is mentioned, "Si Vendea Dresda: Da George Conrado Walther: Libraro di Corte." Most of the etchings are captioned in Italian and Oesterreich signed each plate with his monogram. Most of the images have a single-line border, with sequence number within interior border at lower left and Oesterreich's monogram at lower right, joined by the year 1750 and sometimes the month and day as well. Furthermore, most of the prints are signed in the plate below the border: Eques [or Cavallier] P.L. Ghezzi delin., Matthaeus Osterreich sculps. Dresde. Plates IX and XVII also include the date of Ghezzi's drawing as: 13 7bris 1722.

Although Piet Leon Ghezzi painted frescoes and history paintings, he is best known for his beloved caricatures of the Roman court and its foreign visitors. His caricature etchings of Baroque era notables after the designs of Piet Leon Ghezzi are rare and difficult to find.

Publication: Individual drawings by Ghezzi have sold for as much as 3000 Euros (~$3500), and in 2008 a Ghezzi painting hammered at $91,000 at Christie's, New York (April 15, 2008, Sale 1986, lot 47). A similar set is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Provenance: ex-private Dr. Joseph & Edith Chess collection, Larchmont, New York, USA

SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).

PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.

Item # 113832

  • Condition: Normal age wear with expected toning and stains. A few with inactive wormholes. One offset within border.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Bidder Can Make Shipping Arrangements, Local Pick-Up, In-House Shipping

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$1 - $249,999:
35.00%
$250,000+:
35.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $749 $25
$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000