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.
- Accession no.
- 1949.111
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.
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