PIROLI Thomas, FLAXMAN Jean,“Iliade D’Homere / ODYSEE D’ Homere  Gravee par Thomas Piroli D’apres les desseins composes par Jean Flaxman sculpteur, a Rome” & “Compositions from the Tragedies of AESCHYLUS designed by John Flaxman engraved by Thomas Piroli”, 1793, 1795.

THREE WORKS IN ONE VOLUME.  FIRST EDITIONS of three monumental works based on the designs of J. Flaxman & engraved by T. Piroli, illustrating Homer’s Iliad & Odyssey and Aeschylus tragedies.

Including in total 90 full-page copper engravings: Iliad 1-32 numbered plates, Aeschylus 1-29, 33-34 numbered plates & Odyssey 1-18, 20-28 numbered plates.

During his seven year stay in Rome (1787 to 1794), the British sculptor and designer John Flaxman received a commission from Mr. Udney and Mrs. Hare-Naylor for drawings after the Iliad and the Odyssey and from Countess Dowager Spencer for Aeschylus drawings. Flaxman worked furiously, sculpting during the day and drawing all night, to finish this work. The Iliad and the Odyssey drawings were engraved by Tommaso Piroli (ca. 1752-1824) and published in Rome in 1793, followed by Aeschylus (1795).

Contemporary binding, rubbed and worn externally, occasional creasing inside.

VERY RARE.