Dionysus,satyrs and maenads

Original hand coloured copper engraving.63 x 37 cms(printed surface) plus widemargins. Exceptionally rare proof state before colour what is of the utmost rarity and pretty few examples are recorded . The scene is represented in a vase whose current location is unknown nowadays.

Formerly was in the collection of William Hamilton assembled during his stay as british envoy at Naples. The collection was subsequently sold to the Biritish Museum but some vases went to others collections and in some cases like this one are unknown to the scholars.
The plate is nr 130 of vol III of the Hamilton and Harcarville´s magnificent work that introduced in depth the greek aesthetic in decoration, furniture and decorative arts in England and continental Europe.
Ref Taschen 2015 pgs 432-433