Morganmobile: In Disguise
To display the drawings in his collection, Pierre-Jean Mariette (1694–1774) designed elegant blue mounts that would influence generations of European collectors. When viewed with light passing through them, many of Mariette’s mounts turn out to contain cast-off printed matter from his family’s publishing business. As seen in the transmitted-light image at right, this drawing by Sebastiano Ricci and its mount hide two sheets that are adhered face to face: an architectural print and a title page for Les Tableaux de M. Boyer, ca. 1744. The Ricci drawing, surrounding blue paper, and gold strips were adhered to the front of the mount, completely concealing the prints.
Sebastiano Ricci (1659–1734), Venus and Cupid with other Figures before an Altar, 17th century. Black chalk on paper. 8 11/16 x 6 1/2 inches (220 x 165 mm). Purchase. 1950.5.