L'Innominato, from "Illustrated London News"

Engraver William Luson Thomas British
July 19, 1862
Not on view
This print reproduces Guardassoni's painting of 1856 (Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, Milan) and represents a pivotal moment in the historical novel "I Promessi Sposi" (The Betrothed, 1827) by Alessandro Manzoni. We here witness the conversion of L’Innominato (unnamed man), who has kidnapped Lucia, the betrothed of the title, at the behest of the evil Don Rodrigo. After listening to a sermon by Cardinal Federico Borromeo, l’Innominato decides to defy the powerful, evil men whom he has served, and escort Lucia back to her home village. These actions eventually bring about the downfall of Don Rodrigo. The skilled wood engraver William Luson Thomas made the print for the "Illustrated London News" in 1862. Founded in 1842 as the world’s first weekly news magazine, the periodical regularly published examples of contemporary art.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: L'Innominato, from "Illustrated London News"
  • Engraver: William Luson Thomas (British, London 1830–1900 Chertsey, Surrey)
  • Artist: After Alessandro Guardassoni (Italian, Bologna 1819–1888 Bologna)
  • Date: July 19, 1862
  • Medium: Wood engraving
  • Dimensions: Image: 9 3/16 × 6 9/16 in. (23.3 × 16.7 cm)
    Sheet: 9 9/16 × 6 7/8 in. (24.3 × 17.4 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of Donato Esposito, 2015
  • Object Number: 2015.653.27
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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