Beschreibung:

WRIGHT, John Michael Raggvaglio della solenne comparsa, fatta in Roma gli otto di gennaio MDCLXXXVI. dall' illustrissimo, et eccellentissimo signor Conte di Castelmaine ambasciadore straordinario della sacra real maesta' di Giacomo Secondo ... all Santa Sede Apostolica in andare publicamente all' udienza della Santità di ... Pappa Innocenzo Undecimo . Rome: Domenico Antonio Ercole, [1687]. 2° (398 x 265mm). Engraved frontispiece by Arnoldo van Westerhout after Gio. Battista Lenardi, large engraved headpiece incorporating a portrait of the dedicatee, the Duchess of Modena, and an engraved initial opening the dedication by Westerhout, the headpiece after Lenardi, and 15 numbered engraved plates, all but 2 by Westerhout after Lenardi, comprising 2 engraved plates after Philippus Michael Camers, 6 plates of carriages after Ciro Ferri and Andrea Cornely one double sheet engraving of the official banquet table, and 6 plates illustrating pieces of the surtout de tables, after Lenardi and engraved by Arnoldo van Westerhout. (First and last 2 leaves discreetly rehinged, frontispiece slightly soiled at margins, two neat tears in double-sheet plate expertly repaired.) Modern sheep-backed speckled paper boards, title and gilt ornament in spine compartments. The Earl of Castelmaine was accompanined by the portrait-painter John Michael Wright on his embassy to the Vatican to discuss reconciliation between James II's Great Britain and the Church. Wright's account of the mission plays up the extraordinary ceremony which accompanied the Earl's entry, and the engravings by Westerhout illustrate the fancifully decorated carriages and the intricate silver set of surtout de tables adorning the official banquet. The work was published in London the following year. Lipperheide Si 31; Pine-Coffin 687; Vinet 808.