The Death of Ajax

NICCOLÒ VICENTINO (ACTIVE CIRCA 1540-50) AFTER POLIDORO DA CARAVAGGIO (CIRCA 1499-CIRCA 1543) The Death of Ajax chiaroscuro woodcut printed from three blocks in black and two shades of ochre, circa 1540-1550, on laid paper, watermark Anchor in a Circle, a fine impression of the first state (of two), before the address of Andreani, the colours vivid, a narrow margin below, trimmed to the borderline elsewhere, two vertical folds reinforced, a small skilfully made-up paper loss at the upper left corner, another tiny loss at the lower left sheet edge, skilfully backed and touched in pen and ink, otherwise in good condition Block 318 x 419 mm., Sheet 320 x 419 mm.