Artwork
The Triumph of Truth over Envy, Plate 24
The Triumph of Truth over Envy, Plate 24 is a print by Maria Catharina Prestel. It dates from 1781 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The work is an aquatint print titled *The Triumph of Truth over Envy*, plate 24, created by Maria Catharina Prestel. It depicts a female figure, identified as Truth, standing triumphantly on a serpent while a crouching figure representing Envy lies beneath. Swirling clouds surround Truth’s raised fist, giving the composition a dynamic, storm‑like atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The allegorical scene contrasts the virtues of Truth with the vice of Envy. Truth, clothed in flowing robes, dominates the composition by standing on the serpent—a traditional symbol of deceit—while Envy is reduced to a cowering form. The raised fist and turbulent clouds suggest the active, forceful overcoming of falsehood by honest revelation.
Technique & Style
Prestel employed the relatively new aquatint process, which allows an etched plate to produce tonal washes resembling ink drawings.
Prestel employed the relatively new aquatint process, which allows an etched plate to produce tonal washes resembling ink drawings. She enhanced the tonal range by adding inked lines that were still wet and adhering powdered gold leaf, reproducing the golden highlights of the original drawing. The result is a nuanced gradation of shadows and luminous accents that echo the wash quality of the source.
History & Provenance
In the early eighteenth century, collectors increasingly sought drawings, prompting printmakers to develop more faithful reproductions. Prestel’s print catered to this market, offering a portable, affordable version of a drawing while preserving its visual richness. The piece exemplifies the commercial strategies of the period, where technical innovation met the growing demand for collectible artworks.
Artist & collection
Artist
Maria Katharina Prestel (22 July 1747 – 16 March 1794) née Maria Katharina Höll, was an engraver and painter from Nuremberg, and active in London.
