Who painted Title and Dedication Page?

Title and Dedication Page was painted by Filippo Morghen in 1769.

Where can I see Title and Dedication Page?

Title and Dedication Page is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Title and Dedication Page?

Title and Dedication Page is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Title and Dedication Page

Filippo Morghen , 1769

Title and Dedication Page is a print by the Romanticist artist Filippo Morghen. It dates from 1769 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

If you like this kind of old-school sci-fi art, look up the subject of Italy for more strange travel tales.

You see a fancy title page with swirling clouds, a crescent moon, and tiny figures riding giant birds.

This is the first sheet of a ten-print story about a trip to the moon. The artist imagined moon people using pumpkins as boats and scissors big enough to catch wild rats. It’s like a science-fiction comic from 1769—no rockets, just weird inventions.

If you like this kind of old-school sci-fi art, look up the subject of Italy for more strange travel tales.

Overview

This print is the title page of a set of ten etchings depicting a fantastical journey to the moon, created by Filippo Morghen in 1769. It introduces a narrative that explores the imagined lives and customs of lunar inhabitants.

Subject & Meaning

The title page features a crescent moon amidst clouds, with figures riding large birds, setting the tone for a fantastical narrative. The series as a whole incorporates elements from European interpretations of Asian, Ottoman, and Native American cultures, reflecting the period's decorative arts influences.

Technique & Style

The etching technique allows for detailed and imaginative representations, such as the swirling clouds and giant birds. The work is characterized by its use of chinoiserie and turquerie, stylistic influences that were prevalent in 18th-century European decorative and visual arts.

Context

This work is part of a broader 18th-century European fascination with imaginary voyages to the moon, expressed in both visual and literary narratives. It represents a precursor to modern science fiction, with its fantastical inventions and lunar setting.