The Holy Council

The Holy Council  is a fine etching, hand-watercolored, realized by the engraver  Gianfrancesco  Pivati .

This original print, representing t he Holy Council with patriarchs, cardinals, noblemen and Swiss guards, is from the series  New Scientific and Curious Dictionary concerning the Sacred and the Profane , Tome IX, Plate XLIII, published by  Benedetto Milocco in Venice in  1746-1751,  concerning the Uses and Costumes, Religious Rites of people .

Perfect conditions, including passepartout ( 49 x 34 cm).

Gianfrancesco  Pivati

Pivati's New Dictionary is a bold contribution to Italian cultural debate in the mid-18th century. The wide, useful, and interesting knowledge it contains is often taken from Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French, Spanish and English, as well as Italian. “ The subjects treated are well researched and generally presented in a simple, direct style (…) ”. Pivati’s liberal voice was out of the chorus in the context of the rigid conformity predominating throughout the Italian peninsula. “ He appears to be committed to Reason and Science as opposed to simple Faith, but he tries to avoid any direct challenge to the dogmatic teachings of the Church ”.

Reference : Silvano Garafalo, in: Frank Kafker, Notable Encyclopedias, Oxford 1981.