Dominguez, José
Exceptional Spanish drawings of the alphabet allegorical to a Greek or Roman deity, by a Spanish artist, bound in France contemporaneously; each of the drawings represent a letter from the alphabet corresponding to a mythological (mostly Roman) figure, all in strong vibrant colors heightened in gold and silver(?) in baroque or romantic style, naked figures dominate the scene, which leads one to believe the artist, of Spanish origin, probably executed these drawings in France, or studied in France, and which would explain the fact that it is housed in a fine French red morocco.
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Folio, (435 x 290 mm). Drawn title page signed ‘José Dominguez, and 24 remarkable drawings, all mounted on larger leaves. Fine contemporary red morocco, gilt frame to boards of interlacing fillets, inside the frame with baskets, flowers and foliage, raised bands to spine compartments tooled and lettered in gilt, somewhat rubbed, light scratching to boards, corners bumped. Only occasional foxing or small stains to borders of plates, a few drawings oxidized (perhaps for use of silver?), drawings clean and bright and in strong colors.
Spain under the Bourbon dynasty, inaugurated in the beginning of the 18th century was more liberal than under Habsburg rule, however still constrained by the boundaries set by the Inquisition; nonetheless, Spanish art had become less restrained by the austere Habsburg standards of the 17th century and beyond. This said, this suite of drawings is housed in a contemporary French red morocco of the 18th century, which leads us to believe the artist either made the drawings in France, or had it bound there. Spain had exceptional binding ateliers later in the 18th century, such as Sancha.
The title is signed Jose Dominguez, of whom we have been unable to find any details; only one artist named Jose Dominguez Becquer is found, however he lived in the first half of the 19th century, we believe these drawings to be earlier.
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