Publisher/Manufacturer: Atesa Grafica, Bologna Series title: Twelve Months of the Year
1979 Offset colour lithograph, featuring a reproduction of an engraving, with half tone in black, brown, red, blue and yellow on white wove Fabriano? paper
382 x 322 mm. Gift: The artist 1979 / 1980
Part of a set of 12 lithographs, representing the months of the year, combining contemporary work by Luigi G. Mattei (b.1945) with seventeenth century engravings by Guiseppe Maria Mitelli (1634-1718). Developed from an idea by Giancarlo Roversi. From an edition of 299 sets. The prints are contained in a portfolio with an introduction, descriptive notes and a short biography of Guiseppe Maria Mitelli, all in Italian
A cherub, horses and a crowned figure; Mattei and Mitelli, May. On the upper margin is a drawing by Mattei of a horse, a crown and a hand holding an object. This is reproduced nine times in a strip. On the lower margin is a circle with a scroll border. Inside the border is a full colour montage featuring two horses, floating cubes, and a crowned figure wearing a ruff and holding a goblet. Only the face and right hand of the figure are depicted. In the centre is a reproduced engraving by Matelli of a cherub playing a tambourine. The lower half is a reversed reflection of the upper half. The cherub is decorated with garlands and carries a musical pipe. Two twins, representing Gemini, are enclosed in a small circle. Text on image, 'MAGGIO', twice
