Claudio Duchetti (? - 1585)

Claudio Duchetti, publisher, typographer and engraver active in Venice and Rome in the second half of the 16th century, was born in Argelet in the Jura to Etienne and the sister of the famous publisher Antoine Lafreri. Duchetti worked on his behalf in Venice as early as 1565. The exact date of his arrival in Rome is unknown, but his signature begins appearing in 1582. His publishing activity is linked to the fate of his uncle's famous workshop. On 20 July 1577, Antonio Lafreri died without leaving a will or having direct heirs. All the assets passed to the Duchettis, as they were closest to him. The engraver Mario Cartaro was appointed expert for the evaluation and the first tripartite division of the goods. Claudio shared the engraving heritage with Stefano Duchetti, while it is unknown who received the third part that the Duchetti family always requests. Claudio proposed to continue his uncle's work in the workshop of the Via del Parione. He loved underlining the kinship bond, often signing the plates quondam Antonii Lafreiri nepos (Nephew of Antonius Lafreri). Several engravers worked for him, including Natale Bonifacio, who had already worked for his uncle in 1575, and the Milanese Ambrogio Brambilla. Claudio Duchetti died in Rome on 5 December 1585. In his will, he indicated his wife Margherita, who was then pregnant and the usufructuary of the property, and his brother-in-law Giocomo Gherardi, who was the guardian of the future offspring.