Who painted A new device to cleave wild beasts from Head to Tail?

A new device to cleave wild beasts from Head to Tail was painted by Filippo Morghen in 1769.

Where can I see A new device to cleave wild beasts from Head to Tail?

A new device to cleave wild beasts from Head to Tail is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is A new device to cleave wild beasts from Head to Tail?

A new device to cleave wild beasts from Head to Tail is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

A new device to cleave wild beasts from Head to Tail

Filippo Morghen , 1769

A new device to cleave wild beasts from Head to Tail 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.

Accession no.: 2023.19.3
Credit line: Purchased with funds from the Estate of Muriel Butkin

About this work

Overview

This etching is part of a series of ten prints by Filippo Morghen, depicting a fantastical lunar world. The series showcases the artist's imagination and creativity in representing an otherworldly society.

Subject & Meaning

The print illustrates a scene where a giant pair of scissors is used to cleave a wild, rat-like creature. The image is crowded with strange machines and lunar inhabitants, reflecting the artist's interpretation of an imaginary lunar culture.

Technique & Style

The etching features bold lines, characteristic of Morghen's work. The style is reminiscent of the decorative and visual arts of 18th-century Europe, with influences from chinoiserie and turquerie, which incorporated elements from Asian, Ottoman, and Native American cultures.

Context

The series was created during a time when European audiences were fascinated by literary and visual narratives of imaginary voyages to the moon. Morghen's work reflects this interest, presenting a fantastical and imaginative representation of lunar life.