XVIII a. Scipionų vario raižinių kolekcija
A collection of copper-plates compiled by the Scipions in the 18th century

Summary/Abstract: Refering to the inventory compiled in 1792, the author analyses the collection of engravings and some other pieces of art, which belonged to one of the sons of Ignacy Scipion del Campo, a nobleman of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL), – possibly to Joseph Scipion (1760–1800), the starost of Lyda. This is one of the 18th -century specialized collections, which were gaining popularity in the GDL. The Scipions’ collection of engravings by its volume and variety nearly equals the collections of the most influential GDL noblemen who had deep traditions of compiling works of art. The Scipions’ collection contains numerous compositions of secular subjects, such as portraits, landscapes, allegoric, historical, animalistic and other. Part of them is traditional motifs of the GDL art galleries, representing family members, portraits of sovereigns. Scenes of the life of Cornelius Scipion the African are a hint to the Roman descent of the family. The works of graphic art belong to different European schools and periods, but French engravings of the 18th century prevail. A detailed description of the collection distinguishes this document from most of the other sources of the GDL art. The authors and the original works are signified here. The document indicates the influence of art experts’ culture and the evaluation of authentic works of art.

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