Sebastiano Ricci

Art Historical Context

This engraving, created between 1701 and 1725, presents a portrait of the celebrated Venetian painter Sebastiano Ricci. Executed by Pier Antonio Pazzi after a design by Giovanni Domenico Campiglia, the print captures Ricci’s likeness during the height of his career, when he was renowned for his dynamic Baroque compositions across Italy and beyond. Measuring just under 28 by 19 centimeters, the sheet exemplifies the intimate scale often favored for such reproductive works on laid paper. Engraving was a vital medium in the early eighteenth century, prized for its ability to translate painted or drawn portraits into finely detailed, widely distributable images. By rendering Campiglia’s original in precise lines and subtle tonal gradations, Pazzi helped preserve and disseminate Ricci’s image to collectors and scholars across Europe. Such prints formed an important visual record of leading artists, bridging the gap between studio practice and public appreciation. Housed in the National Gallery of Art as a gift of John O’Brien, this work reflects the period’s growing interest in documenting artistic personalities. It offers today’s visitors a tangible connection to Ricci’s era, when engravings played a central role in shaping artistic reputations.

About the Artist

Pier Antonio Pazzi after Giovanni Domenico Campiglia

**Pier Antonio Pazzi (also known as Pietro Antonio or Antonio Pazzi) was an Italian engraver active in the eighteenth century.** Born in 1706, he worked primarily as a reproductive printmaker, creating detailed etchings and engravings after the designs of other artists. His career extended at least until the mid-1760s, with records noting activity through 1766 or shortly thereafter. Pazzi speciali...