Nuova Raccolta di cinquanta motivi Pittoreschi, e Costumi di Roma - Bartolomeo Pinelli

A 1810 title page etching by Bartolomeo Pinelli, featuring a self-portrait of the artist and the publication details for his collection of Roman costumes and picturesque themes.

This etching serves as the title page for Bartolomeo Pinelli's 1810 publication, 'Nuova Raccolta di cinquanta motivi Pittoreschi, e Costumi di Roma'. Pinelli, a Roman artist, gained recognition for his documentation of the local populace and the customs of the city. His work captures the spirit of early nineteenth-century Rome through a series of etchings that depict both the inhabitants and the atmosphere of the region.

The composition features a self-portrait of the artist, rendered with precise, controlled lines. Pinelli depicts himself with a direct gaze, holding a stylus, which identifies his profession as an engraver. The drapery across his shoulder suggests a classical influence, common among artists of the period who looked back to antiquity for aesthetic inspiration. The text below the portrait provides the publication details, including the publisher, Lorenzo Lazzari, and the location in Rome.

Pinelli's technique relies on clear, rhythmic hatching to define form and shadow. The contrast between the dark, dense curls of his hair and the lighter, open areas of the paper creates a balanced visual weight. This print is a representative example of the graphic output produced in Rome during the early 1800s, reflecting the interest in ethnographic and picturesque subjects that occupied many artists of the time. The work is not merely a decorative piece but a historical record of the artist's own identity and his contribution to the visual culture of his city. Collectors of neoclassical prints or those interested in the history of Roman printmaking will find this piece a clear example of Pinelli's technical skill and his approach to self-representation.