Etching and engraving, circa 1585. 435x313 mm; 17 1/8x12 3/8 inches. Shield with a pot watermark. A very good, well-inked impression, before the later reowrking of the plate, with strong contrasts.
This is Barocci's (circa 1535-1612) most famous print, made after his painting of the same subject completed between 1582 and 1584 for his major patron, the Duke of Urbino (the painting is now at the Vatican, Rome). This print was published by the artist himself and he may have been encouraged to produce the print by the Duke of Urbino in order to disseminate images of, and thereby popularize, the painting incorporating the Duke's palazzo into one of the most important moments in scripture.
According to Reed, the print is, "full of virtuoso handling of light, modeling and texture, the tender, memorable composition and skillful execution were emulated by succeeding generations of artists and printmakers," (Italian Etchers of the Renaissance & Baroque, Boston, 1989, page 98). Bartsch 1.
