Alcina at her Toilet - Salomon Gessner

A fine etching by Salomon Gessner from 1778, depicting the mythological sorceress Alcina attended by her handmaidens.

This etching by the Swiss artist and poet Salomon Gessner depicts a scene from the legend of Alcina, the sorceress from Ludovico Ariosto's epic poem, Orlando Furioso. Dated 1778, the work captures a private moment of preparation, showing the enchantress attended by her handmaidens within a draped, tent-like interior. Gessner, known for his literary interests and pastoral themes, employs a delicate etching technique to render the textures of the fabric, the soft drapery of the classical garments, and the quiet domesticity of the setting.

The composition is structured around the seated figure of Alcina, who is the focus of the attendants' care. To the left, a figure carries a vessel, adding a sense of movement to the otherwise static scene. The background is partially obscured by heavy curtains, which create a sense of intimacy and enclosure. Gessner's approach to the subject reflects the late eighteenth-century interest in classical antiquity and literary illustration. The fine lines and cross-hatching demonstrate his technical proficiency, allowing for subtle gradations of light and shadow across the figures and the surrounding environment.

As a printmaker, Gessner often produced works that accompanied his own writings or those of other authors. This piece functions as a visual narrative, translating a literary moment into a static image. The attention to detail in the furniture, the vessels, and the clothing provides a glimpse into the aesthetic preferences of the period. The work remains a clear example of the European printmaking tradition during the late Enlightenment, where mythological subjects were frequently reinterpreted through a lens of refined, classical elegance. The print is presented here as a museum-grade reproduction, maintaining the tonal qualities of the original etching.