Giovanni Battista Mercati


Giovanni Battista Mercati was an Italian painter and engraver, active in a Baroque style.

Biography

He was born in Borgo San Sepolcro, in Tuscany, but was also active in Rome. He is best known from his engravings, many made after other artists including Pietro da Cortona, Annibale Carraci, and other masters. He painted several altarpieces and frescoes in Sansepolcro, including two frescos on the Life of the Virgin for the church of Santa Chiara, and an altar-piece in San Lorenzo. He also has paintings in Livorno and Gubbio. Among his engravings are:
One interesting set of engravings are his depictions of some of the extant Ancient Roman ruins in Rome, collected in an edition of about fifty-two plates, titled with introduction by Salvatore Settis, engraved in the manner of Israel Silvestre. The series is not a scientific depiction, but does capture some views at a time when kilns and sites were still actively dismantling the remains of ancient edifices. The prints may have influenced Vasi and later Piranesi. Some of the views, however border on being fanciful capricci. Among his engravings are: