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, red yellow, blue and brown, on white wove Fabriano paper
314 x 198 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
An angel with a pauper and a montage in colour; Mattei and Mitelli, December. In the lower half is a reproduction of an engraving by Mitelli of a bearded angel with a seated elderly, bearded, pauper. The angel wears a drape around his waist and holds an hour glass in his left hand. The pauper holds a small basket. On the floor is a bowl with a spoon. A goat, representing Capricorn, is enclosed in a small circle. Above is a full colour sketch by Mattei featuring an urn, an archer and a woman and a soldier / man, the latter wearing a helmet, drinking from goblets. Text on image: 'Vin e [---ay] - a y[--]ello pot[---]' and 'Luigi E. Mattei78', all located below Mattei's sketch: 'DECEMBRE', 'Mitelli T[?].F' and 'SI FINISE COL TEMPO', the latter two located by the paupers feet
