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Mary and the Sleeping Child by Raffaello Sanzio Morghen
Raccolta delle ... famoso viaggio dalla Terra alla Luna (1766-72) by Raffaello Sanzio Morghen
Raccolta delle ... famoso viaggio dalla Terra alla Luna (1766-72) by Raffaello Sanzio Morghen
Raccolta delle ... famoso viaggio dalla Terra alla Luna (1766-72) by Raffaello Sanzio Morghen
Raphael Morghen by Raffaello Sanzio Morghen
Domenica Volpato Morghen by Raffaello Sanzio Morghen
Raphael Morghen by Raffaello Sanzio Morghen
Antonio Canova by Raffaello Sanzio Morghen
1758–1833 · Italian

Raffaello Sanzio Morghen

Raffaello Sanzio Morghen moved to Florence in 1793 at the invitation of Grand Duke Ferdinand III to establish a dedicated school for engraving. He spent nearly a decade on a single copper plate to reproduce Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper. This effort preserved the composition of the original fresco, which was already deteriorating at the time. His work allowed the image to travel across Europe in a stable, monochromatic format.

Portrait of Raffaello Sanzio Morghen

Biography

Morghen followed the Neoclassical tradition, which prioritised clear lines and formal balance. He developed a specific system of cross-hatching to represent different textures and light levels without using colour. In his Portrait of Michelangelo Buonarroti, he used varying line weights to define the features of the face and the folds of the clothing. This method required extreme physical control and a deep understanding of how the human eye perceives depth on a flat surface.

Modern collectors often choose Morghen prints for their architectural clarity and historical accuracy. The black and white compositions provide a sophisticated look that pairs well with contemporary decor. These works represent the peak of reproductive engraving before the invention of photography. They offer a way to display the compositions of the Old Masters through the lens of eighteenth-century technical skill.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • When was Raffaello Sanzio Morghen born?
    Raffaello Sanzio Morghen was born in 1758 and died in 1833.
  • What is Raffaello Sanzio Morghen known for?
    Raffaello Sanzio Morghen is known for raffaello Sanzio Morghen was a Neoclassical engraver who translated Renaissance masterpieces into precise line work for the Grand Duke of Tuscany and international collectors.

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