An Excavation of ancient Sepulchres made in the same Vineyard at the commencement of the Year 1791, with the various inscriptions found in them [graphic] = Scavo di Sepolcri antichi fatto al principio dell'anno 1791. nell'istessa Vigna, con le varie Iscrizioni ivi trovate. N.° 5 / [Carlo Labruzzi].

Good condition. This is the fifth in a series of prints from the Via Appia that Carlo Labruzzi executed for Sir Richard Colt Hoare.

Closed access material (Library)

The composition is dominated by Latin inscriptions found during the excavations in the Vigna Moroni and depicts an archaeological scene whereby workers are clearing the ground of the tomb.

Sponsored by the ARC Universities of WA, Melbourne Monash Humanities E-research Project 2008

Carlo Labruzzi was popular with the English Grand Tourists in Rome for whom he made souvenir drawings and watercolours. In 1789 on the 31st of October Sir Richard Colt Hoare invited Labruzzi to accompany him along the Appian Way following the itinerary outlined by the Roman poet Horace in his description of a journey made to Brindisi in 38 BC. During this trip Labruzzi was to make drawings of the remains of the ancient tombs and villas along the way. The journey was uncompleted due to bad weather and Labruzzi’s ill health and was terminated at Benevento. However, 226 pen-and-wash drawings were completed and bound into 5 volumes by Colt Hoare. A second set of drawings, which are less highly finished perhaps served as preparatory studies were kept by Labruzzi who engraved 24 of the plates himself 5 years after the journey (1794).

The print belonged to Thomas Ashby (1874-1931), Director British School at Rome (1906-1925), who inherited his father’s library and continued to enrich the collection throughout his life. The collection was purchased from his widow in 1931 for the BSR Library thanks to a generous donation from the Treasurer at the time, William Russell.

Forms part of: Ashby Collection. Prints.

Ashby Collection. Prints