Artwork
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci is a print by the Romanticist artist Raffaello Morghen. It dates from 1817 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Raffaello Morghen's 1817 print, 'Leonardo da Vinci', is a black-and-white portrait housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, depicting an elderly man with distinctive facial features and attire.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, identified as Leonardo da Vinci, is portrayed in later life, with a long beard, soft cap, and fur-trimmed collar, conveying an air of venerability; the inscription clarifies the subject's identity.
Technique & Style
Morghen employed strong chiaroscuro, leveraging contrast between light and dark to sculpt the subject's face, emphasizing texture in the skin and fur collar against a plain, dark background.
History & Provenance
Created in 1817 by Raffaello Morghen, a renowned portraitist, the print is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.
Context
Though not a work by Leonardo da Vinci himself, the print reflects 19th-century interest in the Renaissance master, with Morghen's detailed approach characteristic of his portrait style.
Legacy
This print stands as a testament to Morghen's skill in capturing likeness and texture through printmaking, while also reflecting the enduring fascination with Leonardo da Vinci's image across centuries.
Artist & collection
