La Moderazione - Lodovico Ferretti

A refined Neoclassical engraving by Lodovico Ferretti depicting the allegorical figure of Moderation, symbolised by the restraint of the bridle.

This engraving by Lodovico Ferretti depicts the allegorical figure of Moderation, a subject frequently explored within the Neoclassical tradition. The figure is seated upon a throne, her posture composed and balanced. She holds a bridle in one hand, a traditional attribute representing the restraint of passions and the regulation of conduct. Her drapery is rendered with precision, following the classical aesthetic that prioritised clarity of form and idealised human proportions. The composition is structured around a central vertical axis, with the figure positioned against a stark, architectural backdrop. A small, framed view of trees appears in the upper left, providing a subtle contrast to the geometric severity of the throne and the plinth. Ferretti employs a range of tonal values to define the volume of the figure and the texture of the fabric, demonstrating the technical rigour common to nineteenth-century Italian printmaking. The work reflects the period's interest in moral philosophy and the use of classical iconography to communicate virtues. Lodovico Ferretti was an Italian engraver active during the early to mid-nineteenth century. His work often involved the reproduction of classical subjects or contemporary sculptures, translating three-dimensional forms into the two-dimensional medium of the copperplate. This print captures the restrained elegance characteristic of the era, where the focus remains on the clarity of the allegorical message and the disciplined execution of the line. The print is presented with a clean, wide margin, maintaining the integrity of the original plate mark and the formal presentation typical of museum-grade archival reproductions.