Pumpkins Used as Dwellings to Be Secure against Wild Beasts

1769

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

Pumpkins Used as Dwellings to Be Secure against Wild Beasts is a 1769 by Filippo Morghen, a Romanticism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Filippo Morghen
When & what style?: 1769 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

You see a fantastical scene with people living in giant pumpkins. The etching is part of a set that tells a story of life on the moon, which was a popular theme in 18th-century Europe. This set is special because it shows a detailed and imaginative world, including strange vehicles and tools. Check out The Cleveland Museum of Art to learn more about this unique artwork.

The story of this work

Overview

Filippo Morghen’s set of 10 etchings is outstanding among visual narratives of imaginary voyages to the moon, both visual and literary, that intrigued 18th-century European audiences. A title page and nine plates depict the imagined lives and economy of moon dwellers. These include modes of transport such as large birds and sailboats propelled by giant bellows, enormous scissors for capturing wild beasts (including an oversized rat), and the use of giant pumpkins as fishing boats and as dwellings. Representations of the moon dwellers are based on inaccurate and imaginary European…